HC Deb 04 August 1922 vol 157 cc1927-8W
31. Major WHELER

asked the Secretary of State for Air, whether, in any increase of the establishment of the Air Force, he will give prior consideration to officers of the Regular Army and the Navy who are qualified, and have been recommended, for appointments necessitating transfer to the Royal Air Force?

Captain GUEST

In granting any short service commissions to provide for the increase in the size of the Royal Air Force recently approved by the Government, special consideration be given to applications from young officers who have been retired from the Navy or Army under the reduction schemes id these services. I hope also that it may be possible to arrange with the Admiralty and the War Office for a considerable number of serving officers of the Navy and Army to be seconded to the Royal Air Force, thus avoiding the immediate cost to the Crown necessitated by the premature retirement of a corresponding number of naval and military officers.