§ Squadron Leader Cooperasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the percentage of officers called up in 1951 and 1952 who volunteered to serve in 106W vacancies notified to the Shrewsbury employment exchange remaining unfilled on the same date for the five previous years.
§ Mr. WatkinsonThe following table gives the information desired:
Exercise Ardent for the full period of two weeks and for two week-ends, respectively, and also the percentage for other ranks.
Mr. WardThe following is the reply:
PERCENTAGE OF OFFICERS AND AIRMEN CALLED UP FOR 15 DAYS' TRAINING IN 1951 OR 1952 WHO SERVED VOLUNTARILY DURING EXERCISE ARDENT — For two weeks For two Weekends For One Weekend Total percent. percent. percent. percent. 1951 Officers 16.3 0.5 — 16.8 Airmen 2.5 0.3 2.0 4.8 1952 Officers 3.7 2.0 3.7 9.4 NOTES:
(1) None of the airmen called up for 15 days training in 1952 was invited to volunteer for Exercise Ardent.
(2) 12.5 per cent. of the officers who were called up for 15 days' training in 1951 served voluntarily at other times in 1952.
(3) In addition, to the figures above, many members of the Royal Auxiliary Air Force Fighter Squadrons, which were called up for three months in 1951 but not in 1952, took part with other Royal Auxiliary Air Force Units in Exercise Ardent in the ordinary course of training.