asked the Secretary of State for Air to what extent accounting branches of his Department are using modern methods of mechanized accounting.

Mechanised methods of accounting are already in use in the Maintenance Command of the R.A.F.; in all Area Headquarters of the Air Ministry Works Department in the United Kingdom; in the Base Accounts Office where the pay accounts of airmen in Germany are kept; in the branch of the Air Min- istry where Income Tax is recorded; and in a number of other branches in my Department. I am now considering whether mechanised methods can be used in dealing with the pay and allowances of all sections of the R.A.F.; these methods will be introduced in other parts of our accounting system as and when it is possible and advantageous so to do.

Is my right hon. Friend aware that his statement means that at last avoidable delays in pay and allowances will be overcome in the very near future?