HC Deb 11 November 1937 vol 328 cc1863-4W
Sir P. Hurd

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many years' service as a flight-lieutenant in the Royal Air Force the Army officer commanding the 53rd squadron had before being promoted to that command; and how many flight-lieutenants of the Royal Air Force there were of longer service when that appointment was made?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

As regards the first part of the question the officer referred to had served 2 years 10 months as a flight-lieutenant when promoted to squadron-leader and as regards the last part of the question the number of flight-lieutenants who had longer service in that rank was 215. The officer in question had 20 years service in all. of which over eight years had been with the Royal Air Force and it is doubtful, but could not be definitely affirmed without detailed examination of individual records, whether any but a very few of the flight-lieutenants whom he passed over had anything approaching such a period of service.

Sir P. Hurd

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air why an Army officer with only three years' service in the Royal Air Force has been promoted to the rank of flight-lieutenant and given a year's seniority in that rank without the necessity of passing a flight-lieutenant's promotion examination, whereas the Royal Air Force officers may only be promoted to flight-lieutenant after three-and-a-half years' service and without any antedate in seniority; and why this preferential treatment is being accorded to Army officers as compared with the Royal Air Force?

Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead

The comparative position is not as stated by my hon. Friend. On secondment to the Royal Air Force, Army officers are granted Air Force commissions in the rank of flying officer. As a temporary measure during Royal Air Force expansion they are eligible for promotion to flight-lieutenant on completion of three years service as flying officer, as compared with two years for Royal Air Force officers. On promotion they are given an antedate of one year: which restores them to equal seniority with their Royal Air Force contemporaries. The promotion examination requirement does not now apply to either class of officer. As no preferential treatment is being accorded to Army officers the last part of the question does not arise.