Oral Answers to Questions — Royal Air Force – in the House of Commons at on 17 March 1943.
Mr Daniel Lipson
, Cheltenham
asked the Secretary of State for Air after what interval airmen, who have been interviewed by a Selection Board with a view to a commission, are informed whether they have been recommended or not?
Sir Archibald Sinclair
, Caithness and Sutherland
An airman candidate for a ground commission who is recommended by a Selection Board is not commissioned until he has successfully completed a specialist course, if this is necessary, and in any case a course at the R.A.F. Officers' School. He receives instructions to attend a course of training usually within a period of about three weeks from the date of the Selection Board and this indicates to him that he has been recommended. In the case of an unsuccessful candidate, notification through Service channels is normally despatched within 24 hours.
Mr George Mathers
, Linlithgowshire
Can my right hon. Friend say whether an intimation is given to those who fail to qualify as to why they have failed? If not, why not?
Sir Archibald Sinclair
, Caithness and Sutherland
I do not think it is possible to go into details of that kind, which could only lead to lengthy controversies.
Secretary of State was originally the title given to the two officials who conducted the Royal Correspondence under Elizabeth I. Now it is the title held by some of the more important Government Ministers, for example the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs.
