§ 96. Colonel Ropnerasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that delay on the part of his Department is causing applicants for re-enlistment in the R.A.F. to withdraw their applications; and whether he will take steps to ensure that the process of considering applications for re-enlistment by former members of the R.A.F. is speeded up.
§ Mr. A. HendersonI do not think that the length of time taken in dealing with applications for re-enlistment in the R.A.F. has led to many withdrawals. Entrants to ground trades are normally given an offer of service within two weeks of applying. The period is normally about eight weeks in the case of aircrew, as the process of selection involves a number of stages which cannot be curtailed. The entrant has also to be fitted into a training course at the point appropriate to his particular needs. Nevertheless, the importance of keeping these waiting periods to a minimum is fully appreciated and the processes involved are under close watch.