HC Deb 06 March 1939 vol 344 cc1762-3W
Mr. W. R. Duckworth

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether any records are kept in his Department of all officers who served in the Royal Air Force during the Great War; what proportion of such officers are considered as available; and what arrangements are made to maintain contact with such of these officers as might be required by the Air Ministry in an emergency?

Sir K. Wood

Records are kept in my Department of all officers who served in the Royal Air Force during the Great War. It is not possible to indicate what proportion of such officers could be considered as available now. An Officers' Emergency Reserve has, however, been set up to enable officers with War or post-War service with the Royal Flying Corps, the Royal Naval Air Service and the Royal Air Force to maintain contact with the Air Ministry, with a view to their employment with the Royal Air Force in the event of an emergency.