§ Mr. Churchillasked the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to his reply of 24th February, Official Report, columns 823–5, on what grounds two RAF officers have been refused premature voluntary release from the Service for as long as eight years.
§ Mr. WellbelovedBoth officers hold permanent commissions. The normal minimum period of service is 16 years. Earlier release may be granted subject to manning requirements and the completion of a reasonable return of productive service following training, which latter would in any case preclude immediate release in these cases.
Applicants who cannot be released at their requested date have their names placed on waiting lists in order of the date of application. Both these are recent applications. A date of release is then calculated but this is only an estimate. Indeed the estimated waiting times of these two officers have already reduced below eight years. When release can be approved, the applicant is asked to confirm his application and a date is arranged convenient both to the Service and the applicant.