asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether the release of camouflage supervisors is postponed behind the normal date of release of other men in the R.A.F. of the same age and service group; and at what date a camouflage supervisor of Group 27 may expect to be released.
The release of camouflage supervisors is up to the average for airmen of ground trades. We have announced that camouflage supervisors in Group 27 will be released during the period 1st January to 28th February.
asked the Undersecretary of Stale for Air how many groups arc equipment assistants behind other categories which are being demobilised according to the ordinary age and service basis; and what steps are being taken to lessen the unevenness.
The release of equipment assistants is at present four groups behind the average. It will be three groups behind in January and February. We are pressing on with the training programme for this trade.
asked the Undersecretary of State for Air whether, when men of Group 23, travelling from India on the s.s. "Samaria," reached the camp at Hednesford they found men of that group, who had been stationed in this country, had already been released; and whether, as only 400 men who have been returned to this country for immediate release are being passed out from Hednesford daily, he will increase the staff.
Airmen of many trades in Group 23 from units in this country and abroad were being demobilised throughout the month of November. The R.A.F. dispersal centre at Hednesford could not take the men in group 23 from the "Samaria" at once, because several large troopships had arrived at the same time after being held up by gales. But these men were demobilised before the end of the month, so that they were not delayed beyond their due date. The average rate of demobilisation from Hednesford was about 600 a day in November, and the full capacity of the unit is about 1,000 a day.