asked the Secretary of State for Air why civilian motor drivers employed by the R.A.F. cannot be replaced by training conscripts, and thus save manpower and expense.

The R.A.F. already train suitable National Service men as drivers, and to increase the amount of such training would not save manpower or expense.

Is it not true that large numbers of R.A.F. conscripts are not allowed to become drivers?

Our training facilities are naturally limited, as my right hon. Friend the Minister of Labour indicated last week. We have to put first on the training course those who are Regulars because we get greater productive returns out of them.

Could the Minister say how many civilian drivers are still employed by the Royal Air Force?

Yes, Sir, I can. It is not a question of still employed, because we intend to employ them permanently. There are 3,000 such drivers who are employed mostly in such directorates as the Directorate of Work which, in the Royal Air Force, is a civilian directorate entirely run by civilians.

Why not use Service drivers in their place?

Because there is no economy in throwing out trained civilians and using up skilled manpower in training men straight from civilian life.

Is my hon. Friend aware that these civilian drivers are not included in the total of military personnel given in the Defence White Paper, and will he make representations to his right hon. Friend the Minister of Defence to see that these totals are amended to include the large numbers of persons who, up to now, are not included under military employment?

That has not been brought to my attention before. Of course, they are included in the Estimates, but I will certainly look into the matter.