§ Sir R. Robinson100, 101 and 102. asked the Secretary of State for Air (1) whether his attention has been called to the allegation in the official report entitled, "The Royal Air Force Medical Services," Vol. II, to the effect that, during the war, Blackpool landladies were unwilling to allow sick people to remain long in their billets; and whether, in view of the fact that the question whether a sick man was to stay in his billet or attend hospital was strictly a matter for the Royal Air Force medical services, and that the landlady had no say in the matter at all, he will arrange for this statement to be withdrawn;
(2) whether his attention has been called to the allegation in an official report entitled, "The Royal Air Force Medical Services," Vol. II, to the effect that Royal Air Force personnel during 47W the war were often placed in overcrowded bedrooms by Blackpool landladies and whether, in view of the fact that the amount of space allotted to each man was strictly regulated by his Department and that regular inspections were carried out by the Royal Air Force, he will cause this statement to be withdrawn;
(3) whether his attention has been called to statements in "The Royal Air Force Medical Services," Vol. II, criticising the attitude of Blackpool landladies towards Royal Air Force personnel during the war; whether he is aware that over 800,000 Royal Air Force personnel were billeted on 131ackpool landladies at a cost of £1 1s. per person a week over an eighteen-month period and, thereafter, at £1 10s. a week; that, in addition to sleeping accommodation, this cost covered breakfast, hot mid-day dinner, tea and supper; and, in view of the fact that succeeding commanding officers paid tribute to the landladies for their helpful co-operation, whether he will arrange for a correction to be made in the official history.
§ Mr. SoamesThe scale of billeting in Blackpool during the war was so great that there were bound to be some shortcomings. These naturally find their place in an account of the war-time problems experienced by the R.A.F. medical services. I willingly pay tribute, as did this history, to the co-operative attitude displayed by the majority of the landladies, and I am grateful to my hon. Friend for this opportunity to correct the impression which seems to have been conveyed.