asked the Secretary of State for Air whether airmen and non-commissioned officer pilots are eligible for the award of the Distinguished Flying Cross?

Non-commissioned officer pilots and airmen are, under the terms of the Royal Warrant, eligible to be considered for the Distinguished Flying Medal.

Would it not be an excellent thing if all pilots were eligible for the highest award?

There are certain distinctions, and in this matter I am sure my hon. and gallant Friend will appreciate that there is a certain difference in the responsibility.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say what justification he can offer, in the case of a commissioned pilot and a non-commissioned pilot participating in precisely the same enterprise with precisely the same results, for one obtaining the Distinguished Flying Cross and the other obtaining only the Distinguished Flying Medal?

As I have said, there is a difference of responsibility. So far as I know, this matter has never been raised, but if the hon. Member likes I will look into it.