Captain BALFOURasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, whether he is aware that a soldier's highest category 1882W is "Exemplary" with "Very good" as second; and whether he will consider a revision of Royal Air Force categories, according to which "Very good" is the highest character assessment an airman can receive on his discharge certificate in order that an ex-airman shall not appear at a disadvantage in civil life when applying for a post as compared with an ex-soldier, both having the highest category character records?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe Royal Air Force system of recording the characters of airmen is based on that of the Navy, and my Noble Friend does not accordingly consider that ex-airmen should be placed thereby at any disadvantage in civil life. I may add that a supplementary testimonial is given on discharge in appropriate cases, and its terms are such as should prevent any misconception on the point raised by my hon. Friend.