§ Mr. Benn Levyasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of men and women whose release is postponed 2265W owing to their particular trade, beyond their normal group date; how many are at present under training to replace them in these trades; whether the standard of training that was considered adequate in the period of urgency during the war remains unaltered; and whether trainees are recruited not only from the new intake into the service, but also from personnel in the higher release groups.
§ Mr. StracheyThe release of 31,988 men and women is postponed. This means that some 90 per cent. of all releases are being made to time. At present 11,480 men and women, both new intake and re-trainees, are under training for the trades in which there are deficiencies. As the length of the courses is being kept down to war time shortness; this should materially help to even things out as between trades—unless, of course, the general rate of release can itself be further speeded up in the New Year.