asked the Secretary of State for Air why, seeing that he has received a deputation in regard to substitution of draughts men at Farn- borough from the Ex-Service Civil Service Association, he has refused to meet a similar deputation from the Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughts men whose members are directly affected by the policy of substitution?

The hon. Member is under a misapprehension if he thinks that I have received a deputation from the Association of Ex-Service Civil Servants specially on the subject of the substitution of ex-service men for non-service draughts men at the Royal Aircraft Establishment, Farm borough. I received a deputation from that association on a number of ex-service questions, including that of replacing non-service staff, both at the Air Ministry and the Outstation Establishments of the Air Ministry by ex-service men. As regards the request that I should receive a deputation from the Association of Engineering and Shipbuilding Draughts men, I regret that I have nothing to add to my reply to the hon. Member's question of the 14th March.