HC Deb 22 July 1953 vol 518 c39W
49. Dr. King

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve has been reduced.

Mr. Ward

The reduction in strength of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve was the result of a reassessment of our reserve aircrew requirements in relation to war-time needs, and to the financial provision available in Air Votes. Under the decision announced in March we are retaining rather more than 3,000 reserve aircrew in flying training, and we could not in present circumstances justify giving flying training on a higher scale.