§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that dissatisfaction exists amongst officers of the R.A.F. with the £60 gratuity proposed for their resettlement in civil life, which, in view of the fact that many of these officers were university graduates who have sacrificed some years of university training to enter the R.A.F. and have lost opportunities of undertaking the professions for which they have been trained, is inadequate; and will he review these proposals.
§ Sir J. AndersonI have seen certain criticisms, on the lines of my hon. Friend's question, which have appeared in the Press, but I cannot agree that they are justified. The figure of £60 quoted is below the minimum value of the release benefits in the case of an unmarried officer in the lowest paid non-flying branch of the R.A.F., with as little as six months officer service, none of it abroad. As shown by the examples which I gave on 6th February (OFFICIAL REPORT, Columns 1905–9), officers in general will receive substantially greater sums. For instance, in the case of a Squadron-Leader in the flying branch of the R.A.F., married with one child, and with five years' war service (six months in the ranks, three years abroad) the release benefits will be worth £335. In addition to these financial benefits liberal provision is made for education, including University education, or training to suit the individual requirements of ex-members of the Forces.