asked the Secretary of State for Air whether post-war gratuities payable to the estates of men killed in the service of their country will include technicians on the ground staff?

As stated by my right hon. Friend the Deputy Prime Minister in reply to the hon. Member for Basset-law (Mr. Bellenger) on 4th March, 1942, the question of gratuities in respect of war service is one which will have to be settled by the Government of the day in the light of the circumstances then prevailing. I am unable, therefore, to say at the present stage under what conditions post-war gratuities, if granted, will be issuable.

Will the claims of ground service technicians be carefully borne in mind?

That is for the Government of the day. I am quite sure that the Government of the day will bear in mind what the hon. Member has said to-day.