§ Mr. Houghtonasked the Secretary of State for Air what representations he has received from the Society of Civil Servants for the replacement of senior Royal Air Force officers in his Department by experienced civil servants; and what reply he has sent.
§ Mr. H. FraserOver the past few years, the Society of Civil Servants has made representations to my Department on a number of occasions, both directly and through the staff side of the Departmental Whitley Council. In general, it has been found that the proposals could not be adopted without detriment to the efficient working of the Royal Air Force; but in a few cases a more favourable reply has been possible. A staff side proposal to replace R.A.F. officers by civil servants at Aircraft Equipment Depots is at present being examined.