§ 78. Mr. W. J. Taylorasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the abolition of non-continuous training at Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve centres.
Mr. WardYes. Experience has shown that the most effective training for ground members of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve is given during their annual 15 days' attachment to Air Force stations, but that part-time, or non-continuous, training at Reserve centres is difficult or impossible to organise efficiently and economically.
It has, therefore, been decided to concentrate the training of the majority of these ground reservists into their annual camps, where they have the benefit of serving and training alongside Royal Air Force regulars. They will continue to be paid the annual bounty of £9, but they will no longer be given part-time training at Reserve centres. Members of special Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve units will carry on with part-time training in their units. Ground training for aircrew 31W reservists will continue at Reserve flying schools.
These changes will make it possible to improve the organisation of the Royal Air Force Volunteer Reserve and to reduce the number of Reserve centres, thus giving better value for outlay without undue effect on standards of training. The number and location of the centres to be retained is now being examined.