Mr. Claxton:

This is relatively recent.

Mr. Claxlon:

In answer to the hon. member's interesting questions, he asked first whether, in the case of veterans of world war II desiring to enlist, any reference is made to their records in world war II. I am informed that when they apply to join one of the forms they sign is a form dealing with their previous war experience. That form is referred for further inquiry to the Department of Veterans Affairs which keeps the records of veterans of the first and second world wars. My understanding is that the answer is yes, but I do not want to suggest for a moment that this is done sufficiently rapidly to screen out people who may have had bad records. An effort is made, but this is a very large-scale operation. We are dealing with another government department, and I am not sure whether or not that is done in time to turn down a man on the score that he has had a bad record if he does not disclose it himself. However, a check is made.

The hon. member also asked about the wash-out rate for aircrew. This rate is not given in any country. We have checked this, and I think hon. members will appreciate the reasons for not doing so. I am not in a position to give any comparison between the wash-out rate for R.C.A.F. and other trainees. This is a matter which is receiving continuous consideration by everyone concerned in our air force and the other air forces, and we are working together very closely on it. I must say personally that I am reaching the point where, having had some experience and having discussed the matter extensively with experts in this field in other countries, I am beginning to doubt whether increasing the level of selection produces a corresponding decrease in the rate of losses in training. You get to a point where, whatever the rate of refusal on selection is, statistically the rate of losses in training appears to be just about the same, so that you could select out too high a proportion without getting corresponding returns. However, that is an idea of mine. Other people are testing the matter scientifically.

The hon. member also asked whether in the figures given in the white paper for R.O.T.P. personnel we include any of this new group he mentioned. I was not able to hear precisely what he said. If they are officer candidates from the universities or the service colleges then they are included. If, however, they were previously officers and are taking

Supply-National Defence refresher courses they are not included in that figure. The figure in the white paper is for officer candidates only.

The hon. member inquired about the expenditure in an item on page 317, I believe. I understand he was referring to the item for films, displays, broadcasting, advertising and other informational materials, $936,000 for this year and $936,700 for last year. It is very much the same figure. We feel it is desirable to maintain advertising at about the same level, but I can assure the hon. member and the house that this matter is being reviewed within the next two or three weeks to see if we cannot effect some further reduction in recruiting expenses. We have some experience in this regard. We did make a substantial reduction in March, April, May and June of 1950 and the rate of recruiting slipped very materially. We were about reaching our then targets or coming within sight of them. Then we had the Korean affair and it was necessary to build up the program again. Personally I am rather opposed to making too sharp a drop until we see whether or not we are maintaining our present levels in the services and increasing them slightly towards the targets.

Of course, hon. members should appreciate that as we attain our target, not that we will ever have any fixed target because we will be changing from year to year, but as we reach about the targets we will see that wasting will exactly equal intake and intake will equal wastage. We shall have an exact equilibrium. People will talk then about our high rates of wastage. Our aim will be to maintain our intake at precisely the level necessary to meet wastage. As long as we do that, we will be meeting the target.

Naturally, we will always be striving to keep down wastage in order to keep the men of experience. Actually our wastage rates for the three services are I believe very favourable. Let me put it this way, our rates of re-engagement for the three services are very favourable. I have got the rates for other countries and for ours, and they are improving in our country or holding their own, while relative to the others with which we are familiar, they are very much better. This is a good position, but I should like to see it still better.

Mr. Claxion:

At each air station they have a service fire-fighter squad which is highly trained and fully equipped. In this case it was on the scene of the fire within a minute of discovery. In addition, there are fire prevention services and patrols. They are arranged in accordance with the regulations laid down by headquarters of the three services and with the work of the fire marshals. If we had men constantly on duty at each of say six hangars it would mean 24 men a day, and would amount to a good deal of money.

Mr. Claxton:

I agree with the hon. member about the importance of mail. This is something we have been trying to look after very carefully. I must say that I have had very few complaints, generally speaking. The mail seems to have been very well delivered. I have had no complaints at all about delivery to Europe.

Mr. Claxton:

The same considerations

would apply.