asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air if he is aware that the existing system of accounting in the R.A.F. is wasteful of man-power and is the chief reason for the delay in releasing accounts personnel; and will he appoint a committee of experienced civilian accountants to investigate and make proposals for a more up-to-date system.

The system of accounting in the Royal Air Force is not considered to be wasteful of man-power or to be the cause of avoidable delays in the release of accounts personnel. The establishment of the Accountant Branch of the Royal Air Force has been particularly curtailed during the war years and compares favourably with that of the other Services. A Committee such as the hon. Member suggests would not result in a speedier release of accounts personnel, nor would there be any advantage in changing the system at the present time.

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air what is the total number of personnel male and female, respectively, at present employed in the accounts branch of the R.A.F.; what is the total number so far released from the accounts branch of the R.A.F. in release groups 1 to 13 inclusive; what number of non-accountant personnel have been trained to act as account clerks during the two months August and September, 1945; and what number it is expected will have been trained by 31st December, 1945.

Following is a statement giving the information:

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many clerks are being trained in accountancy to enable existing accounts personnel, whose groups are due for release, to be discharged at the earliest possible date.

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply which I gave on 10th October to my hon. Friend the Member for Wimbledon (Mr. Palmer).