HC Deb 28 November 1951 vol 494 cc147-8W
1. Mr. Hale

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many applications, during a period of 12 months to the most recent convenient date, for permanent commissioned rank have been made by officers holding temporary or extended temporary commissions; and how many have been granted.

Mr. Birch

Six hundred and sixty-seven non-permanent officers of the Royal Air Force were appointed to permanent commissions during the year ended 31st October, 1951. Three hundred and seventy-three of these appointments were to commissions offering normal prospects of promotion to higher rank. The grant of these commissions is based on recommendations from senior officers, and no provision is made for officers to apply themselves.

The other 294 officers were appointed to permanent commissions in the Aircraft Control and Fighter Control branches. These appointments offer only limited prospects of promotion above the rank of flight lieutenant and applications for this type of commission are permitted. During the period 519 such applications were received.

2. Mr. Hale

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many officers serving in the Royal Air Force at the most recent convenient date have upwards of seven years' commissioned service and have not been granted permanent commissions.

Mr. Birch

On 1st November, 1951, the number of non-permanent officers who had more than seven years' continuous commissioned service was 4,022.

3. Mr. Hale

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the amount of gratuity and rate of pension payable to a squadron leader having 22 years' commissioned service and retiring with and without permanent commissioned rank, respectively.

Mr. Birch

A permanent squadron leader who is retired after 22 years' reckonable service receives a terminal grant of £1,000 and £500 a year retired pay.

It is not possible to say, without knowing the details of his Royal Air Force career, how much gratuity or, in the case of certain long service ex-Regular airmen, special retired pay, a non-permanent squadron leader would receive after 22 years' commissioned service.