HC Deb 14 April 1943 vol 388 cc1239-40W
Major Thornton-Kemsley

asked the Secretary of State for Air the reasons for staffing the MF/DF Organisation within the Royal Air Force by civilians instead of Royal Air Force personnel; and whether the civilians are thus exempted from military service?

Sir A. Sinclair

This organisation, which was formed before the war, is staffed mainly by civilians because the duties and conditions of service are appropriate to civilians. The replacement of civilians by Service personnel would, therefore, not be justified. Moreover, it would involve the displacement of highly specialised experience. In these circumstances, although the civilians concerned are not exempted from military service, it has been agreed with the Ministry of Labour and National Service that they shall not be withdrawn from their present employment.