§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction amongst offi- 981W cers of the R.A.F. educational service with regard to the release scheme for that category; and if he will arrange either that such officers shall receive full Service gratuities plus leave with pay on release, or that they shall be excluded from direction under Regulation 58AAA (Civil Servants) and be permitted to resign their posts and return to their pre-war schools in the same manner as civilian teachers are now allowed to do.
§ Mr. Haydn Daviesasked the Undersecretary of State for Air (1) whether he is aware of the dissatisfaction felt by education officers in the R.A.F. because while they have never been mobilised they have been prevented under Defence Regulation 58AAA from claiming their right to terminate their appointments in accordance with the terms of their contract; and whether he will make a statement about their position; (2) whether he is aware that education officers in the R.A.F. are ineligible for gratuity at the end of their service; and whether he will reconsider this matter.
§ Mr. StracheyThe duties of the R.A.F. Educational Service are particularly important at this stage. We have, therefore, been reluctantly obliged to invoke the provisions of the Control of Employment (Civil Servants) Order, to ensure the retention of a sufficient number of Education officers in these civilian appointments. It will, however, now be possible to offer release to Education Officers in step with the general rate of release for R.A.F. officers. Education officers, like other civilians, are not eligible for war gratuities on release, nor for terminal leave with pay. The question of the future status of the R.A.F. Educational Service is, however, under consideration as stated in my answer of 10th October to the hon. and gallant Member for Lonsdale (Sir I. Fraser).