asked the Secretary of State for Air the reason why officers in the Special Duties Branch or in the Auxiliary and Special Duties Branch, who are masters of the Air-Sea Rescue launches and pinnaces which patrol the English Channel and elsewhere and pick up casualties and who are permanently employed in Air-Sea Rescue Service, are not entitled to wear the distinguishing badge supplied to the crews of the launches and pinnaces?

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to his Question on 17th March.

Does the right hon. Gentleman deny that these people really are operational and not temporary as indicated in the previous reply?

They are operational. I did not say that they are not operational but they may be transferred from one unit of the Service to another. The hon. Member suggests in his Question that they are permanently employed; they are not permanently employed in Air-Sea Rescue but may at any time be transferred.

Does the right hon. Gentleman then deny that these so-called temporary people have been occupied for years doing this work?

Some, certainly, but there is no permanence in the arrangement.

Is there permanence in any arrangement?

They are general duties officers in the R.A.F.

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest opportunity.