§ Mr. Dudley Smithasked the Secretary of State for Defence what is the number of telegraph mechanics at present serving in the Royal Air Force; by now many this falls short of the number required; and how many men have been recruited or otherwise appointed to this grade in each of the last eight quarterly periods.
§ Mr. MillanIt is not the practice to disclose details of the numbers in particular trades in the Royal Air Force. There is at present a marginal surplus of telegraph mechanics but this is rapidly disappearing as airmen complete their engagements and it is expected that by October this year there will be a small deficiency. There has been no admission to the trade for the past eight quarters but recruitment was re-opened on 1st April to meet the foreseeable requirements.