§ Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number of applications received from officers in the R.A.F. for permanent commissions; the number granted to date; and the total number to be given, having regard to the post-war establishment of the R.A.F.
§ Mr. StracheyApproximately 22,000 applications for permanent commissions have been received from officers of the R.A.F., a high proportion of which have been recommended by commanding officers. At present appointments are being limited to replacing wastage in the 1939 establishment, which comprised some 3,000 officers holding permanent commissions. The names of 482 officers selected for permanent commissions have already been promulgated, and further lists totalling approximately 300 are in course of promulgation. The total number of permanent commissions to be offered will depend on the establishment fixed for the post-war Air Force. In addition, some 6,000 vacancies are available under the interim scheme for extension of wartime service recently promulgated, and offers of extended service commissions are being made to 1,200 officers this week. These offers do not preclude further consideration of the officers for appointment to permanent commissions.