§ Mr. MANDERasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he will consider the advisability of postponing by two years the seniority of short-service commission officers who afterwards obtain permanent commissions in the Royal Air Force, in view of the fact that these officers would otherwise be placed at an advantage over those who go straight through the Royal Air Force College at Cranwell?
§ Mr. MONTAGUEThe matter has been considered, but my Noble Friend is not able to adopt the hon. Member's suggestion. The average age of the short-service officer, on first commissioning, is greater than that of the officer passing to a permanent commission from Cranwell.