§ Sir F. SYKESasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what steps have been taken to apply the close scrutiny of Air Ministry establishments foreshadowed in the Memorandum by the Secretary of State of Air accompanying the Air Estimates; and what economies have thereby been effected?
§ Mr. LEACHThe scrutiny referred to has been applied, and, as a result, it is contemplated that the estimate of the number of additional service personnel required to complete the home defence expansion can be reduced by nearly 1,750. This reduction is made possible by placing on a station basis the administrative and maintenance services of squadrons not required for service overseas, while still preserving their operational integrity. Economies will also he effected by the substitution of civilians for airmen in such units for certain classes of duties The number of civilians who will be eventually thus required to replace service personnel will be, approximately, 1,150.