§ 122. Commander Maitlandasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many junior ranking officers in the A. & S. D. Branch of the R.A.F., who have been prisoners of war in the Far East, have been reduced in rank on their return to this country; and why this procedure has been necessary.
§ Mr. StracheyI am aware of five officers of the Administrative and Special Duties Branch of the R.A.F. up to the acting rank of squadron-leader who have lost their acting rank since returning to this country from the Far East. As prisoners of war these officers were allowed to retain their acting rank during captivity, and for a period of up to 6i days after their repatriation. After then, in common with all other officers in the R.A.F., they became subject to the normal rules of promotion, under which acting ranks are related to the posts in which officers are employed.