§ Mr. Levyasked the Minister of Labour how big a proportion of the intake to the three Services is allocated to the R.A.F.; to what extent that proportion can be raised to offset the lag in the R.A.F. release rate; and whether, for the same purpose, a proportion of Army and Navy personnel in late release groups is being or will be or can be remustered into the R.A.F.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsOver 31 per cent. of the intake of men into the three Services in the second half of 1945 has been allocated to the R.A.F. and this has involved the diversion to the R.A.F. of substantial numbers of men who have expressed a preference for the Army or the Navy. There is, as stated in my right hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 16th October, a limit to the extent to which releases can be accelerated by call up or by the transfer of inexperienced men between the Services. It is hoped that the new arrangements for release from the R.A.F. announced yesterday by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Air will make it unnecessary to consider such transfers.
§ Squadron-Leader Hollisasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the delays in demobilisation from the R.A.F., he can hold out hope that a larger proportion of new recruits will in the future be enrolled in the R.A.F. in relation to other Forces.
§ Mr. Ness EdwardsI have been asked to reply. I would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I have to-day given the hon. Member for Eton and Slough (Mr. Levy).