§ Mr. Lowasked the Secretary of State for Air whether men of National Service age who voluntarily agree to a three years' period of whole-time service in the Royal Air Force and three years' part-time service in lieu of the normal obligation are given Regular rates of pay throughout their service; and what gratuity they receive at the end.
§ Mr. A. HendersonThe answer to the first part of the Question is in the affirmative. Regular rates of pay are not, however, paid retrospectively to those National Service men already serving who agree to undertake three years' whole-time service. A gratuity is not admissible in respect of any regular engagement limited to three years' whole-time service as an airman. The hon. and gallant Member will, of course, appreciate that the period of part-time service in such cases is two and a half years or less.