§ Mr. OLIVERasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will give the regulations which now compel men employed at Cranwell College to pay 2s. 6d. to 6s. per week for accommodation or cubicles when no charge was made on engagement; and whether he will consider the advisability of abolishing the present system which compels these men when requiring medical treatment (emergency excepted) to travel at least six miles to a doctor, instead of obtaining treatment from the Royal Air Force doctors at the college?
§ Sir S. HOAREAs regards the first part of the question, the wages of the men referred to are all-in local rates regulated on the basis of men providing their own accommodation. This involves that if accommodation is given rent is properly chargeable. The charges for this purpose, varying from 2s. 6d. to 6s., according to the type of accommodation provided, include furniture, fuel, light, water, sanitary services, and, where a mess is formed for a number of men, the use of a furnished dining room and kitchen. As regards the second part of the question, the civil employés at Oran-well who are insurable under the National Health Insurance Acts are on the panels of the civilian medical practitioners resident at Sleaford, and one of these doctors is summoned by telephone if a man happens to be sick in his quarter. Such emergency treatment as is necessary in case of accident or sickness is given without charge by the Royal Air Force medical officers, who also sometimes treat minor cases which do not justify the summoning of the panel doctor.