asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the possibility of obtaining commissions straight from civil life into the administrative branch of the Air Force is causing concern in the Service, particularly as it is now the policy of the Air Force only to grant commissions to those who have passed through the ranks; and whether he will put an end to this practice?

Officers are obtained to the maximum possible extent by promotion from the ranks, but it is not possible by this means to meet all requirements, particularly in the case of posts demanding special qualifications. It is therefore necessary to supplement the flow from the ranks by granting commissions to persons entered direct from civil life who possess the special qualifications required. It is not practicable, even if it were desirable, to discontinue this arrangement.