Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewingasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will publish a list showing the numbers and ranks of air attaches and their assistants, now, and at a convenient comparable date during 1951.
Mr. WardThe information for which my hon. Friend asks is given below.
69WA full list of air attachés can be found in the quarterly Air Force List. The
AIR ATTACHÉS AND ASSISTANT AIR ATTACHÉS: NUMBERS AND RANKS ON 1ST MAY, 1951 AND 1ST MAY, 1952 — 1st May, 1951 1st May, 1952 Air Attaché Assistant Air Attaché Air Attaché Assistant Air Attaché Air Vice Marshal … … … 1 — — — Air Commodore … … … 5 — 6 — Group Captain … … … 10 — 10 — Wing Commander … … … 10 1 14 1 Squadron Leader … … … — 5 — 5 Flight Lieutenant … … … — 1 — 1 29 7 30 7 NOTES: (1) On 1st May, 1951, 1 Air Commodore was carrying out the duties of Military and Air Attaché, and 1 Wing Commander the duties of Naval and Air Attaché. (2) At the present time 1 Air Commodore is carrying out the duties of Naval, Military and Air Attaché, 1 Wing Commander the duties of Naval and Air Attaché and another Wing Commander the duties of Military and Air Attaché. (3) On both dates the post of Naval and Air Attaché, Madrid, was held by a Commander, R.N., who is not included in the table above. (4) An Air Attaché (Group Captain) has been appointed to Athens with effect from 1st May. 1952, following the disbandment of the R.A.F. Mission to Greece. (5) Certain of the posts in the table (i.e., 3 Air Commodores, 4 Group Captains, 3 Wing Commanders and one Squadron Leader) are in fact established for, and actually held by, officers one rank lower. The higher rank shown is an honorary one for local prestige purposes.