§ Mr. Rhys Daviesasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the complaints being made by unemployed persons that persons following their ordinary occupations are employed in the Observer Corps at 1s. 3d. per hour, thereby drawing two incomes at the same time; and will he take steps to remedy this state of affairs?
§ Sir K. WoodThe members of the Observer Corps are men who gave up part of their spare time in peace in order to fit themselves for the important part they are now called upon to play in the defence of this country against air attack. The 1s. 3d. per hour to which the hon. Member refers is a payment made to part-time members of the Corps to meet out-of-pocket expenses. The substitution of inexperienced personnel for the trained personnel now in the Corps would not be advisable.