§ Sir F. SYKESasked the Secretary of State for Air the percentage of officers in each rank who hold short-service commissions?
§ Sir S. HOAREFollowing is the answer:—
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- Pilot Officer—74 per cent. of all officers of that rank in General Duties Branch. Flying Officer—49 per cent. of all officers of that rank in General Duties Branch.
- Flight Lieutenant—6 per cent. of all officers of that rank in General Duties Branch.
- Above Flight Lieutenant—Nil.
§ Sir F. SYKESasked the Secretary of State for Air the estimated cost of training short-service commissioned officers, including pay, allowances and maintenance charges, prior to their posting to service squadrons, and the period of such training?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe answer is, approximately, £3,250 and one year, including leave.
§ Sir F. SYKESasked the Secretary of State for Air the percentage of discharged short-service officers who, within six months of discharge, obtain employment in the aircraft industries, obtain other employment, and fail to obtain employment respectively?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe information for which my hon. and gallant Friend asks is not available.
§ Sir F. SYKESasked the Secretary of State for Air the maximum period of service abroad for short-service officers; and for what minimum period prior to discharge these officers are posted to units at Home with a view to giving them opportunity for seeking other employment?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe maximum period of service abroad for short service commission officers is 5 years. Short service commission officers serving abroad are not normally posted to Home units prior to transfer to the reserve. They are, however, brought home in sufficient time to take any leave they have earned before transfer. Leave may be accumulated at the rate of 61 days for each completed year served overseas up to a maximum of six months.
§ Sir F. SYKESasked the Secretary of State for Air the numbers of short service flying officers, respectively, in training units at Home, training units abroad, service units at Home, and service units abroad?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe following are the particulars asked for by my hon. and gallant Friend:—
Home. Overseas. Training units … 124 29 Service units … 393 203 The above figures include 62 officers under flying training at Home and 22 officers under flying training overseas.
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§ Sir F. SYKESasked the Secretary of State for War the number of short service flying officers who, having completed their original term of engagement for service with the colours, have duly completed their service in the reserve; have been discharged without service in the reserve; have served in the reserve but have been discharged without completion of their reserve service; have received permanent commissions; are serving on extensions of their original engagement with the colours; are still serving in the reserve and fit for flying duties; and are still serving in the reserve but are unfit for flying duties?
§ Sir S. HOAREThe particulars asked for, as at the latest convenient date, are as follow:
Number of short-service flying officers, General Duties Branch, who:
(1) have completed their Reserve service 90 (2) have been discharged without service in the Reserve 556 (3) have been discharged while in Reserve, before completion of service 24 (4) have received permanent commissions 320 (5) are serving on extensions of their original agreements 85 (6) are still serving in Reserve and are qualified as pilots 285 (7) are still serving in Reserve, but are not qualified as pilots 126 The figure at (2) includes wastage from all causes over a period of 7¾ years.