§ Mr. G. Thomas67, 68 and 69. asked the Secretary of State for War (1) whether he has now considered the complaints of 85W civilian teachers in his employ in Singapore concerning the hardships endured in travelling on inter-tour leave to and from the United Kingdom; and whether he will make a statement;
(2) whether he will charter British Overseas Airways Corporation's aircraft for the homeward and return passages of civilian teachers employed by his Department in Singapore; and whether he will make a statement;
(3) whether he is aware that his Department's civilian educational staff travelling to and from the United Kingdom and Singapore are dissatisfied with the conditions on the chartered aircraft; and what steps he is taking to ensure reasonable comfort for those obliged to undertake this journey.
§ Mr. SoamesThe regular air trooping flights between London and Singapore are used by Service men and their families and by civilian employees, including teachers. They have been operated successfully for a number of years.
At the beginning of this year teachers in Singapore complained about conditions on the journey. Careful inquiries were made and two of the main difficulties have been met, first by improvements following rebuilding at Karachi, and secondly by arrangements for teachers to be met on arrival in this country. A reply giving the results of our inquiries was sent to Singapore on 10th March.
Very few complaints about these flights are received. The only ones from Army families in the past twelve months were concerned with minor troubles which have been dealt with. On that evidence, which is supported by inspectors' reports, I believe that there would be no justification for altering the present arrangements.