asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Flight-Lieutenant Goutrey, F.805937/41/F 7.A., took a short service commission in the Royal Air Force for four years in 1936, a gratuity of £300 to be paid upon completion of same; that just prior to termination of this service he was asked by the authorities to continue for a further two years, his gratuity to be increased to £500; that he agreed; that after the four years had terminated, but before the six years expired, he was killed; that although he had willed the £300 to his parents the authorities have refused to pay this money; and whether consideration will be given to an ex-gratia payment in this case and an alteration made in the Regulations?

The general rule governing cases such as that to which the hon. Member refers is that should an officer holding a short-service commission die before completing his initial period of service or, if he has voluntarily extended his service, before completing the extended period, no gratuity is payable to his estate. This is a term of his contract, and the reason is that gratuities of this kind are primarily intended to assist resettlement in civil life. Dependants are separately provided for by means of pensions and allowances. Similar conditions apply to the gratuities and retired pay of Crown Servants generally, and I know of no grounds on which an ex-gratia payment could be justified in this particular case.

Does the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that his Department admits that if this man had broken his continuity by only one day, £300 would have been paid? May I ask him for a reconsideration of the case? Perhaps he and I might have a chat about the circumstances surrounding it.

Yes, Sir, certainly.

asked the Secretary of State for Air in what manner did the noncommissioned flying officers, recently decorated for their part in the recent raid on Lubeck, differ in responsibility, initiative or courage, from the commissioned officers who were given awards for their part in the same operation?

Their conduct was of equal merit, and so were their awards.

Why were they given a different award?

They were given awards of equal merit.

Has the right hon. Gentleman seen the scathing comment on his replies concerning this matter in "Reveille," a paper which circulates among the men of the Air Service?

Why is the right hon. Gentleman so sticky about this? Why does he not respond to public feeling and grant a distinction which is fair to everybody?

There is no question of stickiness. These awards are equal. The D.F.M. is an award which is cherished by those who receive it. [HON. MEMBERS: "Hear, hear."]

Does not the right hon. Gentleman appreciate that the cheers from hon. Members behind him indicate their desire to retain class distinction?

I heard cheers from all over the House.

asked the Secretary of State for Air the number of occasions in a year on which an airman is entitled to leave and the length thereof; and whether commanding officers have discretion to grant passes to destinations other than the man's home?

In reply to the first part of the Question, I would refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Stoke (Mr. Ellis Smith) on 21st January; and in reply to the second part to the answer given to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Stockport (Wing-Commander Hulbert) on 18th March.

Could I put this question definitely to my right hon. Friend? If a man is entitled to leave, and he desires to go to some other part of the country than his own and shows good cause, has the commanding officer power to grant him a pass to that place?

Yes, Sir, the commanding officer can give four free warrants every year to any part of the country; it is within his discretion.

asked the Secretary of State for Air at what time on Saturday, 16th May, the German cruiser "Prinz Eugen" was sighted exercising in a Trondheim fjord; at what time on the following day she was sighted steaming south and at what time attacked; whether any 21-inch torpedoes were used by the attacking aircraft; and whether the present whereabouts and condition of this warship are known?

It is not in the public interest to give details of this operation. Excellent work on the part of Coastal Command enabled successful reconnaissance to be carried out in difficult circumstances on 16th and 17th May, in consequence of which the attack developed between 7.45 and 8.30 p.m. on 17th May. The most recent information indicates that the "Prinz Eugen" is now being repaired at Kiel; I have nothing to add to what has already been published regarding the damage she has suffered.

How is it that facts which it is not in the public interest to disclose to the House can be detected by hon. members for themselves by a careful study of authentic despatches by newspaper correspondents, and will the right hon. Gentleman reconsider his refusal to give these facts in answer to my Question if I show him the answers to them in "The Times" despatches?

I do not know what the hon. Member means by "authentic." It is an adjective which would certainly not apply to a number of despatches on air operations. Certainly, if the hon. Member will show me any articles he has read, I shall be glad to consider them.

When this ship is finally disposed of, will it be in the public interest to tell us?

I think we had better wait and see.