§ Mr. ROBERT YOUNGasked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether he has received a communication from the Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen relative to the substitution of skilled draughtsmen and designers by less skilled men at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farnborough; whether he has refused to meet representatives of the said association on a matter of great importance to its members; if so, whether ho will reconsider the request in order to avoid any chance of an industrial dispute arising;
(2) if he is aware that draughtsmen and designers at the Farnborough Royal Aircraft Establishment, who were debarred from joining active service units owing to the enforced protected nature of their war-time occupation, many of whom made strenuous endeavours to join up during the War, are being substituted by men of inferior technical qualifications or by men of no technical qualifications; and will he explain the reasons for the displacement which is now being carried through in this establishment and the qualifications and training of those men who are taking the place of the men being discharged?
§ Sir S. HOARE:Temporary non-service technical staff at Farnborough are being replaced, as far as possible, by ex-service personnel. This is in accordance with the approved policy of His Majesty's 1826W Government, based. on the Reports of the Lytton Committee. It is true that many men were unable, for various reasons, to join His Majesty's forces during the late War, but this does not entitle them to be considered as ex-service, in the application of the policy just stated. I am unable to accept the suggestion of the hon. Member that the ex-service men selected for appointment have inadequate technical qualifications. I have received a communication from the Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughtsmen, but as the action taken is in accordance with the policy of His Majesty's Government, and was taken with full regard to all relevant considerations, no useful purpose would he served by an interview, and I regret I am unable to reconsider the decision.