§ Group Captain Wilcockasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that there are airmen who have served more than a year in C M.F. without leave home, and who are now transferred to M.E.F. and find themselves ineligible for leave as they have not been in M.E.F. long enough to qualify under the schemes for leave for Forces in the Middle East; and whether he will ensure that no further airmen are so transferred without first being granted home leave and that those who are now in the Middle East should be granted leave at the earliest opportunity.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe redeployment of the R.A.F. in the Mediterranean area has made it necessary to post men from C.M.F. to the Middle East. I know that some of these men have not had home leave and I appreciate their disappointment. But as home leave is not granted to members of the R.A.F. in the Middle East, it would be unfair to other men already in the command who have perhaps been longer overseas, if any exception were made in favour of men posted from C.M.F. In view of the present manning position in the Middle East, I regret that I cannot give the undertaking asked for in the last part of the Question.