HC Deb 23 April 1947 vol 436 cc113-4W
72. Mr. Callaghan

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the terms of reference and what is the scope of the R.A.F. Manpower Economy Committee; and in what form hon. Members should submit any evidence which they may care to put forward.

Mr. P. Noel-Baker

The terms of reference of the R.A.F. Manpower Economy Committee are as followTo review the methods of manning and use of manpower in the Royal Air Force in peacetime, and to recommend measures for securing that fighting efficiency is maintained with the greatest possible economy in manpower. The Committee are considering how the total manpower required for an Air Force of a given strength can be reduced; how the proportion of unskilled or semi skilled men can be increased what is the best distribution of the available men between flying and maintenance of aircraft, on the one hand, and administration and domestic duties, on the other and other similar problems.

The Committee are authorised to visit all units of the R.A.F. and all departments of the Air Ministry and to obtain the views of all ranks. They arc also visiting industrial and other establishments in this country and abroad The Committee will be glad to receive any evidence or proposals which may be submitted by hon. Members of this House. I will circulate the address of the Secretary in the OFFICIAL REPORT, together with other information about the Committee.

Following is the statement

The R.A.F. Manpower Economy Committee has as its Chairman Air Chief Marshal Sir Norman Bottomley, Inspector General of the R.A.F. Under him the Committee includes three senior R.A.F. officers, a civilian scientific expert of the Air Ministry with experience in problems of organisation and manning, a representative of the Ministry of Labour, and two civilian members of standing in the industrial world—one experienced in -industrial management and the other nominated by the Trades Union Congress. The object of the Committee is to undertake a comprehensive review of the whole basis of manning and manpower use in the Royal Air Force, in an attempt to secure economies of a kind which are not likely to result from the normal reviews of establishments and organisation.

Any views or proposals that are submitted to the Committee should be in the form of a written memorandum and should be addressed to:

The Secretary,

Royal Air Force Manpower Economy Committee,

Office of the Inspector General,

Royal Air Force,

136, Richmond Hill, Surrey.