STATUTORY RULES.

1948.  No. 67.

REGULATIONS UNDER THE AIR FORCE ACT 1923-1941.*

I, THE GOVERNOR-GENERAL in and over the Commonwealth of Australia, acting with the advice of the Federal Executive Council, hereby make the following Regulations under the Air Force, Act 1923-1941.

Dated this ninth day of June, 1948.

W. J. McKELL

Governor-General.

By His Excellency's Command,

ARTHUR S. DRAKEFORD

Minister of State for Air.

Amendments of the Air Force Regulations† and Repeat, of the Air Force (War Financial) Regulations.

Repeal of the Air Force (War Financial) Regulations.

1. The Air Force (War Financial) Regulations (being Statutory Rules 1943, No. 93, as amended by Statutory Rules 1944, No. 134; 1946, Nos. 33 and 163; and 1947, No. 53) are repealed.

Saving

2.—(1.) Notwithstanding the repeal of the Air Force (War Financial) Regulations effected by regulation 1 of these Regulations—

(a) deferred pay and interest accrued under regulation 8 of those Regulations as at the thirtieth day of June, 1947, to the credit of a member of the Permanent Air Force other than a member of a Women's. Service shall be paid to that member as if his service in the Defence Force had terminated on that date; and

(b) deferred pay and interest accrued under regulation 8 of those Regulations as at the thirtieth day of June, 1947, to the credit of a member other than a member to whom paragraph (a) of this sub-regulation applies shall continue to bear interest at the prescribed rate in accordance with that regulation and shall be paid with accrued interest at the date of termination of the member's service:

* Notified in the Commonwealth Gazette on 10th June, 1948.

† Statutory Rules 1927, No. 161, as amended by Statutory Rules 1928, Nos. 52 and 109; 1929, Nos. 75 and 114; 1930, Nos. 77, 94 and 135; 1931, Nos. 3, 78 and 115; 1932, Nos. 9, 63 and 133; 1933, Nos. 16, 46, 58, 82, 89 and 117; 1934, Nos. 25, 51, 74, 81, 122 and 125; 1935, Nos. 32 and 98; 1936, No. 17; 1937, No. 21; 1938, Nos. 12, 13, 22, 48, 77, 97 and 120; 1939, Nos. 21, 64 and 142; 1940, Nos. 31, 53, 75, 114, 125, 140, 220, 241 and 279; 1941, Nos. 68, 106, 137, 181 and 228; 1942, Nos. 29, 158, 232, 254, 346, 383, 416, 440, 441, 476 and 543; 1943, Nos. 119 and 198; 1944, Nos. 34, 50, 64, 75, 146 and 153; 1945, Nos. 49, 70, 95, 105, 195 and 201; 1946, Nos. 40, 111, 145 and 162; 1947, No. 22; and 1948 Nos. 34 and 51.— Eighty-sixth amendment.

3103.—Price 1s. 3d.

Provided that such a member may apply for payment of his accrued deferred pay at any date after the thirtieth day of June, 1947, and on receipt of such an application, payment shall be made with accrued interest at the prescribed rate up to the date upon which payment is authorized.

(2.) Deferred pay payable to a member in pursuance of this regulation shall be subject to a deduction of any amount standing to the debit of the member in his pay account.

(3.) For the purpose of this regulation, the prescribed rate of interest for any period after the thirty-first day of December, 1943, shall be the rate fixed from time to time by the Treasurer by notice in the Gazette.

(4.) Any order made under regulation 33 of the Air Force (War Financial) Regulations and which was in force on the thirtieth day of June, 1947, shall be deemed to have been made under regulation 558 of the Air Force Regulations, and deductions and payments shall be made accordingly on and from the first day of July, 1947, until the Minister otherwise directs.

Parts.

3. Regulation 2 of the Air Force Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting all the words and figures from and including the words and figures " Division 1.—General—Regulations 527-546." to and including the words and figures " Regulations 572-577 " and inserting in their stead the words and figures—

" Division 1.—General—Regulations 527-542.

Division 2.—Pay—Regulations 543-552a.

Division 3.—Pay Allowances—Regulations 553-566d.

Division 4.—Allotments—Regulations 557-564.

Division 5.—Rations, Quarters and Allowances in lieu thereof—Regulations 565-571g.

Division 6.—Uniform Allowance—Regulations 572-575.";

(b) by omitting the words and figures—

" Division 8.—District Allowance—Regulations 614-615."; and

(c) by omitting the words and figures—

" Division 10.—Schools and Courses of Instruction and Tours of Duty Abroad—Regulations 633-641.

Division 11.—Camps—Regulations 642-645.".

Definition.

4. Regulation 4 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the definition of "warrant officer" and inserting in its stead the following definition :—

" 'warrant officer ' means a member of the Air Force holding warrant rank whether substantive, temporary, provisional or acting, and includes a member holding master rank, but does not include a member holding an honorary commission ; ".

5. Regulation 101 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed and the following regulation is inserted in its stead :—

Ranks of airmen.

" 101.—(1.) The ranks held by airmen shall be as follows :—

Warrant Officers—

Warrant officer.

Master pilot.

Master navigator.

Master signaller.

Master gunner.

Master engineer.

Non-commissioned Officers—

Flight sergeant.

Pilot I.

Navigator I.

Signaller I.

Gunner I.

Engineer I.

Sergeant.

Pilot II.

Navigator II.

Signaller II.

Gunner II.

Engineer II.

Corporal.

Pilot III.

Pilot IV.

Navigator III.

Navigator IV.

Signaller III.

Signaller IV.

Gunner III.

Gunner IV.

Engineer III.

Engineer IV.

Aircraftmen (men in the ranks)—

Leading aircraftman.

Aircraftman.

Aircraftman (Recruit)

Aircrew Trainees—

Trainee pilot.

Trainee navigator.

Trainee signaller.

Trainee gunner.

Trainee engineer.

Airmen Apprentices—

Aircraft apprentice.

(2.) An airman apprentice shall remain of that rank throughout the period of his training, notwithstanding the grant to him at the Apprenticeship School of any local appointment as sergeant apprentice, corporal apprentice or leading apprentice.".

3103.—2

Repeal of regulations 143, 144 and 515.

6. Regulations 143, 144 and 515 of the Air Force Regulations are repealed.

7. Divisions 1 to 6 (both inclusive) of Part XI. of the Air Force Regulations are repealed and the following Divisions inserted in their stead :—

" Division 1.—General.

Definitions.

" 527. In this Part of these Regulations, unless the contrary intention appears—

' child ' means any child (not being an ex-nuptial child) who is a son, daughter, step-son, or step-daughter or a legally adopted son or daughter of a member and who is—

(a) under the age of sixteen years ; or

(b) under the age of eighteen years and who is receiving education as a full-time student at a school or university ;

' prescribed authority ' means the Minister, the Air Board, the Chief Finance Officer, the Assistant Chief Finance Officer, the Finance Officer (Administrative), an area finance officer, an assistant area finance officer or any person whom the Minister or the Air Board appoints to be a prescribed authority.

Vested rights.

" 528. A member or other person for whom provision is made in these Regulations shall not be recognized as having any vested rights to any rate of pay, deferred pay, allowance, or any other emolument, except as specially provided in these Regulations, and such a member or person shall not be entitled to claim the issue of any emolument, whether under these Regulations or as a reserved right, under special conditions which are not provided for in these Regulations.

Unclaimed pay and allowances

" 529. Unless in special circumstances the Air Board otherwise directs, a member shall forfeit any pay, allowance, refund of expenses or other pecuniary advantage allowable under these Regulations which he has not claimed within a period of twelve months from the date upon which he became eligible for the payment thereof.

Commencement, calculation and cessation of pay.

" 530.—(1.) On first appointment or enlistment the pay and allowances of a member shall commence on the date upon which he commences duty.

(2.) Unless the Minister, on the recommendation of the Air Board, otherwise approves, a member shall be paid on first appointment or enlistment the minimum rate prescribed for his rank.

(3.) Subject to these Regulations, pay and allowances shall be issued for each day of service, including Saturdays, Sundays and prescribed, proclaimed and approved Commonwealth holidays and authorized periods of leave with pay.

(4.) Subject to these Regulations, pay and allowances shall not be credited to the account of a member in respect of any day after—

(a) the day of his discharge or of the termination of his service ;

(b) the day on which he is transferred to the Reserve ;

(c) the day of his death ;

(d) the day of his being reported missing ;

(e) the day on which he is in the ordinary course due for retirement, unless authority has been granted for the extension of his service ;

(f) the day on which he is seconded for service with another government department or for civil employment, unless the Air Board, having regard to exceptional circumstances, otherwise approves ;

(g) the day of his secondment to the Naval or Military Forces ;

(h) the day on which, in the case of an officer who has been seconded to the Air Force from the Naval or Military Forces, he ceases to be employed on the Active List of the Air Force ;

(i) the day on which, in the case of a member of the Citizen Air Force who has been, called up for war service or who has otherwise been required to perform special duty, he ceases to perform that war service or duty,

 as the case may be :

Provided that, where a member who has been reported as dead or missing is subsequently found to be alive, he may be credited with pay and allowances as from the day on which his pay ceased, subject, in the case of a member reported as dead to a deduction of any amount paid under the provisions of Part XII. of these Regulations, the Superannuation Act 1922-1947 the Australian Soldiers' Repatriation Act 1920-1947, or under either of those Acts, as amended from time to time, to any person to whom or for whose benefit an allotment was payable in respect of that member.

(5.) The amount of any pension or allowance deducted in pursuance of the proviso to the last preceding sub-regulation may be paid to the Superannuation Board or to the Repatriation Commission, as the case requires.

Illness due to misconduct.

" 531. Subject to regulation 534 of these Regulations, where a member's absence from duty is due to illness or disability caused by his misconduct, the Air Board may determine whether his pay and pay allowances shall be forfeited, in whole or in part, in respect of the whole or any portion of the period of the absence.

Forfeiture of pay.

" 532. Subject to regulation 534 of these Regulations, whenever a forfeiture of pay is imposed upon or incurred by a member, that forfeiture shall include the whole of his pay, pay allowances and provision allowance in respect of each day of forfeiture.

Leave without pay.

" 533. A member shall not be entitled to any pay or allowances in respect of any period for which he is granted leave without pay

Venereal disease.

" 534.—(1.) Subject to sub-regulation (2.) of this regulation, a member shall forfeit one-third of his daily rate of pay and pay allowances (other than marriage and separation allowances) for each day during which he is absent from duty suffering from acquired venereal disease.

(2.) No forfeiture under the last preceding sub-regulation shall be made in the case of a member—

(a) on the first occasion after the thirty-first day of January, 1944, upon which he is so absent—for a period not exceeding thirty-five days ;

(b) on any subsequent occasion on which he is so absent, unless the absence is occasioned by a subsequent re-infection acquired after the contraction of the disease which necessitated the absence referred to in paragraph (a) of this sub-regulation—

(i) for the period of that absence ; or

 (ii) for such part of that absence as will, when added to any previous period or periods after the thirty-first day of January, 1944, during which he was absent suffering from the disease, equal thirty-five days, whichever is the lessor ;

(c) who acquired the disease while acting in the course of his duty.

Deductions in respect of previous Defence service.

" 535. Subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, there may be deducted from any pay or allowances accrued or accruing under these Regulations to a member who, previously to his service as a member, served for any period subsequent to the sixth day of October, 1939—

(a) in the Air Force under a previous appointment or enlistment ; or

(b) in any other part of the Defence Force,

such sum or sums as could legally have been deducted from his pay had he continued in that prior service.

Recovery of semi-official debts.

" 536. The amount of any debt due by a member to a semi-official institution may, with the approval of the Air Board, be deducted from any pay or allowances due or becoming due to the member.

Minimum drawing rate.

" 537. When a member's pay account shows a debit balance as a consequence of—

(a) a forfeiture of pay imposed upon or incurred by the member; or

(b) the recovery of—

(i) any fine inflicted upon, or sum of money ordered or awarded to be paid by or stopped from the pay of the member either by court-martial or other competent authority ;

(ii) any amount debited or charged to the member pursuant to regulation 561 of these Regulations ; or

(iii) any amount agreed by the member to be deducted from his pay in respect of loss of, or damage to, Commonwealth property,

the member shall, in respect of each day during which his account continues to show that debit balance, be entitled to draw, as an advance against future pay, an amount equal to—

(1) one tenth of his daily rate of pay ; or

(2) if he is serving—

(a) in Australia, One shilling in Australian currency ; or

(b) outside Australia, One shilling in English currency,

whichever is the greater :

Provided that a member shall not be entitled to draw any such advance for or in respect of any period during which he is absent without leave, serving sentence of penal servitude, imprisonment or detention, or for or in respect of any period during which he is in custody whilst under sentence of field punishment.

Death or insanity of member.

" 538. In the event of the death of a member while serving or of his becoming insane prior to the termination of his service, any moneys due to the member shall be paid to the person or authority legally entitled to administer the air-force estate of the member.

Higher rank pay.

" 539.—(1.) Subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, a member who is granted acting rank shall unless the grant is specified as one of unpaid acting rank, be paid pay and allowances at the rates prescribed by these Regulations for the rank in which he is acting.

(2.) A member who is granted honorary rank shall be paid pay and allowances at the rates prescribed by these Regulations for his substantive, temporary, provisional or acting rank, as the case may be.

(3.) A member who is granted temporary or provisional rank shall, while holding that rank, be paid pay and allowances at the rates prescribed by these Regulations for the rank which he holds temporarily or provisionally.

Pay on promotion or remuster.

" 540. If a member is promoted to a rank, or remustered to a group, for which a higher rate of pay is prescribed, pay at the higher rate shall be payable to him on and from the date of his promotion or remuster :

Provided that, if he does not take up the duties of the higher rank or group within one month from the date of his promotion or remuster, the higher rate of pay shall be payable on and from the date of his taking up those duties or from such date as the Minister directs.

False Statements.

" 541.—(1.) Any person who makes a false statement in any form required to be furnished under these Regulations, whether the statement contains a declaration as to the correctness of the particulars set forth therein or not, shall be guilty of an offence.

Penalty : Twenty pounds or imprisonment for three months.

(2.) In addition to imposing any penalty in respect of an offence against the last preceding sub-regulation, the Court before which the person is convicted may order him to repay or return to the Commonwealth or to the person lawfully entitled thereto, any money, certificate or document received by him in consequence of the false statement in respect of which the offence was committed.

(3.) Nothing in this regulation shall affect the liability of any person to be proceeded against under any other law, but he shall not be liable to be punished twice in respect of the same offence.

Recovery of amounts improperly obtained.

" 542.—(1.) Where, in consequence of a failure to furnish to a prescribed authority or commanding officer any information required to be furnished by or under regulation 556a or 571g of these Regulations or in consequence of any false statement, any amount has been paid by way of allotment, marriage allowance or living out allowance under these Regulations which would not have been paid but for that failure or false statement, an amount equal to the amount so paid may be deducted from—

(a) any allotment which is or becomes payable to that person ; or

3103.—3

(b) any pay or allowance which is or becomes due or payable to the member concerned :

Provided that where a false statement was made by a dependant of a member in any form or information required to be furnished under sub-regulation (3.) of regulation 556a of these Regulations, no deduction under this regulation shall be made from any pay or allowance of the member concerned unless, in the opinion of a prescribed authority, the true circumstances concerning which the false statement was made were known, or, by the exercise of reasonable diligence, would have been known to the member.

(2.) The provisions of this regulation shall be in addition to and not in derogation of the provisions of the last preceding regulation.

" Division 2.—Pay.

Pay of officers.

" 543.—(1.) The daily rate of pay of an officer of the Permanent Air Force other than an officer of the chaplains branch or of the Nursing Service shall be the rate specified in relation to his rank and service in the following table :—

(2.) The daily rate of pay of an officer of the chaplains branch of the Permanent Air Force shall be the rate specified in relation to his classification and service in the following table—

(3.) The daily rate of pay of an officer of the Nursing Service shall be the rate specified in relation to her rank and service in the following table :—

Pay and allowance of chief of Air Staff.

" 544.—(1.) Notwithstanding anything contained in these Regulations, an officer who holds the appointment of the Chief of the Air Staff shall be paid a consolidated annual rate of pay and allowances determined by the Minister, with the concurrence of the Treasurer.

(2.) Regulations 555, 556b, 566, 567, 568, 571c, 571d and 573 of these Regulations shall not apply to or in respect of an officer while he holds the appointment of the Chief of the Air Staff.

Deferred pay rates.

" 545.—(1.) The daily rate of deferred pay for an officer of the Permanent Air Force shall be, according to his branch, rank and service, as follows :—

(a) GENERAL DUTIES BRANCH AND MEDICAL BRANCH.

(b) EQUIPMENT BRANCH AND ACCOUNTANT BRANCH.

(2.) The rate of deferred pay for an officer of the commissioned warrant officer branch shall be £50 per annum.

Deferred pay— Condition of issue.

" 546.—(1.) Deferred pay at the prescribed rates shall be credited to the account of each officer annually.

(2.) Deferred pay shall not be credited to an officer's account for any period during which he forfeits pay under these Regulations, or for any period during which he is on leave without pay.

(3.) Except as prescribed, payment of deferred pay shall not be made until an officer's' appointment in the Air Force is terminated :

Provided that payment of all or any portion of his deferred pay may, under conditions approved by the Air Board, be made to any officer who is transferred to the Reserve.

(4.) Notwithstanding anything contained in the last preceding sub-regulation, where a commissioned warrant officer of the Permanent Air Force became liable on and after the second day of November, 1942, to contribute for units of pension under Part IVa. of the Superannuation Act 1922-1942 and the rate of the contributions in respect of those units is such that, in the opinion of the Minister, the officer suffers hardship by reason of that liability, the Minister may approve of payment, prior to the termination of the officer's appointment in the Air Force, to the officer, or, with the consent of the officer, to the Superannuation Board on his behalf, of the whole of the deferred pay which accrued under these Regulations to the credit of the officer's account in respect of his service as a commissioned warrant officer of the Permanent Air Force prior to the second day of November, 1942, or of such portion of that deferred pay as the Minister considers necessary to alleviate the hardship in the circumstances of any particular case.

(5.) Payment of deferred pay shall not be made to an officer—

(a) whose appointment is terminated for misconduct ; or

(b) who is dismissed from His Majesty's Service.

(6.) Notwithstanding anything contained in the last preceding sub-regulation, the Minister may, if he considers the special circumstances of any particular case so warrant, approve of the payment of all or any portion of an officer's deferred pay.

Interest on deferred pay

" 547.— (1.) Interest at the rate of 3½£ per cent, per annum shall be credited annually on the thirtieth day of June in each year on the amount of accumulated deferred pay standing at credit of each officer on the thirtieth day of June of the previous year.

(2.) Interest added to the deferred pay account shall be considered as part of accumulated deferred pay, and shall bear interest in like manner.

(3.) In the event of an officer or his estate becoming entitled to receive deferred pay on account of termination of appointment, resignation, death or for any other reason as prescribed, interest on the amount of accumulated deferred pay standing at credit on the thirtieth day of June prior to the date on which he or his estate became so entitled shall be allowed from the first day of July to the end of the month in which payment of deferred pay becomes due.

Pay of air cadets.

" 548.—(1.) The daily rate of pay of an air cadet of the Permanent Air Force shall be the rate specified in relation to his period of training in the following table :—

(2.) Subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, such amount as the Air Board determines, being not less than One shilling and sixpence per day, shall be deferred from the pay of an air cadet throughout the period of his training.

(3.) The accumulated amount deferred from the pay of an air cadet shall be paid on his graduation or on the termination of his service as an air cadet, whichever first occurs.

Pay of airmen other than aircrew and apprentices.

" 549.—(1.) The daily rate of pay of an airman of the Permanent Air Force other than an airman in an aircrew mustering or an airman apprentice shall be the rate specified in relation to his rank, group and service in the following table :—

(2.) For the purposes of this regulation, the Minister, with the concurrence of the Treasurer, shall determine the group within which any particular mustering shall be classified.

(3.) An aircraftman (recruit) of the Permanent Air Force who is under the age of twenty-one years and who, as a result of conditions outside his own control, fails to qualify for reclassification to aircraftman before completing six months' service, may be paid the rate of pay prescribed for an adult aircraftman (recruit) by sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation on and from the day following the date upon which he completes six months' service.

Pay of airmen in aircrew musterings.

" 550.—(1.) Subject to sub-regulation (2.) of this regulation, the daily rate of pay of an airman of the Permanent Air Force in an aircrew mustering shall be the rate specified in relation to his rank, mustering and service in the following table :—

(2.) The daily rate of pay of an airman of the Permanent Air Force of the rank of trainee pilot, trainee navigator, trainee signaller, trainee gunner or trainee engineer shall be—

(a) in the ease of an airman who, immediately prior to being granted such rank, was an airman in a mustering other than an aircrew mustering—the rate of pay prescribed by regulation 549of these Regulations for the mustering and rank which he previously held together with any good conduct increments for which he had qualified under regulation 552 of these Regulations ; or

(b) in any other case—

(i) during his first six months' service—the rate of pay proscribed by regulation 549 of these Regulations for an airman of the rank of aircraftman (recruit) ; and

(ii) after the completion of six months' service—Eleven shillings per day.

Pay of airmen apprentices.

" 551.—(1.) The rate of pay of an airman apprentice of the Permanent Air Force shall be the rate specified in relation to his period of training in the following table:—

(2.) Subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, the amount specified in relation to his period of training in the following

table shall be deferred from the pay of an airman apprentice throughout the period of his training—

(3.) The accumulated amount deferred from the pay of an airman apprentice shall he paid on his graduation or on the termination of his service as an airman apprentice, whichever first occurs.

Good conduct increments.

" 552. An airman of the Permanent Air Force in a mustering other than an aircrew mustering who holds the rank of corporal or a lower rank shall be granted—

(a) after five years' service—a good conduct increment of sixpence per day ; and

(b) after ten years' service—a further good conduct increment of sixpence per day.

Grant of increments.

" 552a.—(1.) Subject to this regulation, the payment of increments shall be in accordance with such conditions as are approved by the Air Board.

(2.) The payment of an increment shall commence on the day following the date upon which a member completes the prescribed period of service.

(3.) For the purpose of this regulation, ' service ' means continuous full-time service but does not include any period in respect of which a member is not entitled to pay ; but this sub-regulation shall not be construed as affecting the continuity of the member's service in the Air Force.

(4.) For the purpose of the granting of good conduct increments under regulation 552 of these Regulations, ' service ' shall include any period of service in the Royal Australian Navy or the Australian Military Forces which is continuous with the air-force service of the member concerned.

(5.) The granting of a prescribed increment shall be dependent upon the good conduct, diligence and efficiency of the member concerned and shall be subject to the approval of—

(a) in the case of an officer—the Air Board ; or

(b) in the case of an airman—the Air Member for Personnel.

" Division 3.—Pay allowances.

Flying instructional pay.

" 553. Subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, all air cadet or a trainee aircrew shall be paid while undergoing flying training, flying instructional pay at the rate of Two shillings per day.

Exchange allowance.

" 554.—(1.) On and after the date of his embarkation for service in the Pacific area outside Australia and up to and including the day prior to the date of his disembarkation in Australia upon his return thereto, a member of the Permanent Air Force may be paid exchange

allowance at the daily rate specified in the following table in relation to the designation of his branch or group and rank in that table :—

Provided that, on and after the date of his disembarkation and up to and including the day prior to the date of his embarkation in Japan, a member shall be paid an exchange allowance of not less than One shilling per day.

(2.) For the purpose of determining the daily rates of exchange allowance payable to airmen under this regulation, musterings shall be deemed to be classified in groups in accordance with the classification which had been determined by the Minister under sub-regulation (7.) of regulation 7 of the Air Force (War Financial) Regulations and which was effective on the thirtieth day of June, 1947.

(3.) For the purpose of this regulation, ' Pacific area ' means Japan and such other areas outside Australia as the Air Board approves.

Marriage allowance

" 555. Subject to regulation 556 of these Regulations and to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, a marriage allowance of Four shillings per day may be paid to a male member—

(a) who, being married, maintains, in the opinion of a prescribed authority, normal domestic relationship with his wife ; or

(b) who, being a widower, maintains, in the opinion of a prescribed authority, a home for the benefit of his children.

Qualifying allotment.

" 556.—(1.) Except as provided in sub-regulation (2.) of this regulation, payment of marriage allowance shall not be made to a member unless he authorizes the payment from his pay, marriage allowance and separation or provision allowance, of an allotment of not loss than Thirteen shillings per day to—

(a) his wife ; or

(b) in the case of a widower, the custodian of his child or children ; or

(c) in special circumstances, such other persons as a prescribed authority approves.

(2.) Where a member marries and authorizes an allotment in pursuance of sub-regulation (1.) of this regulation to commence from a date subsequent to the date of his marriage, marriage allowance may be paid for such period prior to the date of commencement of that allotment as a proscribed authority directs :

Provided that the period shall not commence prior to the date of marriage and shall not in any case exceed three months.

Particulars of dependants.

" 556a.—(1.) At the time of claiming marriage allowance, a member shall furnish to a prescribed authority, in accordance with such form as is approved by the Air Board, such particulars relating to his wife or children as are indicated in the form to be required.

(2.) Where marriage allowance is being paid to a member and any person stated previously to be dependent upon him ceases to be so dependent, or any change occurs in his domestic circumstances or in his matrimonial relationship to his wife which is likely to affect the rate of the marriage allowance or the continuation of the allowance, the member shall forthwith notify the prescribed authority in writing of the change in circumstances.

(3.) Any person stated by a member to be a dependent shall, whenever so required by a prescribed authority, furnish any information and make any declaration which that authority considers necessary for the purposes of these Regulations.

Separation allowance.

" 556b. Subject to these Regulations and to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, a separation allowance of Three shillings per day may be paid to a member who is entitled to receive marriage allowance and who is required, by reason of his air-force duty, to live away from his home.

Allowances for Medical and dental officers.

" 556c.—(1.) An officer of the medical branch of the Permanent Air Force who is a qualified medical practitioner may be paid an allowance at the rate specified in relation to his rank in the following table :—

(2.) An officer of the medical branch of the Permanent Air Force who is a qualified dental practitioner may be paid an allowance at the rate specified in relation to his rank in the following table :—

Special allowances.

" 556d. Where a member is required to perform special duties or an officer holds a special appointment, the Minister may, having regard to the nature of the duties or the character of the appointment, approve of payment of a special allowance to the member concerned at a rate which the Minister, with the concurrence of the Treasurer, deems commensurate in the circumstances of the case.

" Division 4.—Allotments.

Allotments.

" 557. An allotment of pay, pay allowances and provision allowance may be made by a member to or for the benefit of any person approved by a prescribed authority or to any bank account or corporation approved by a prescribed authority :

Provided that the amount remaining available for drawing by a member for his own use shall not be less than one-tenth of his daily rate of pay or One shilling per day, whichever is the greater.

Compulsory deductions.

"  553.— (1.) The Minister may make orders authorizing the deduction from the pay and pay allowances of any member of such reasonable sums as the Minister thinks fit for the support of any person who, in the opinion of the Minister, is wholly or partly dependent upon, or has a claim for maintenance against, the member, and the Minister may authorize the payment of such sums to or for the benefit of any such person.

(2.) Where a member who has made an allotment to or for the benefit of any person purports to cancel or reduce, or requests the cancellation or reduction of, the allotment, payment of the allotment may, subject to any direction of the Minister, be continued to that person unless and until a prescribed authority is satisfied that sufficient reason exists for the cancellation or reduction of the allotment.

(3.) For the purposes of these Regulations, any sum authorized, in pursuance of this regulation, to be deducted from a member's pay and pay allowances and paid to or for the benefit of another person, shall be deemed to be an allotment made by the member.

Manner of payment of allotment.

" 559.—(1.) Any sum payable by way of allotment in accordance with these Regulations may, if a prescribed authority so directs, be paid by fortnightly instalments—

(a) into a bank account approved by a prescribed authority ; or

(b) to the person to whom the sum is payable—

(i) by cheque, money order or bank draft, or

(ii) in currency, through a postmaster or other officer.

(2.) Where an allotment is to be paid in currency by a postmaster or other officer, a prescribed authority may give an instruction to the postmaster or other officer to withhold or vary the payment of any instalment, and the postmaster or other officer shall comply with any such instruction accordingly.

(3.) Where the person to whom the instalment of allotment is payable applies personally for payment, that person shall give a receipt for each instalment in accordance with such form as is approved by the Air Board, and the postmaster or other officer may refuse to pay any instalment if he is not satisfied that the person presenting the receipt is the person entitled to receive the instalment.

(4.) The postmaster or other officer may pay an instalment to a person other than the person to whom the instalment is payable, if the first-mentioned person is the holder of an order, in such form as is approved by the Air Board, from the person to whom the instalment is payable, and makes a declaration, in such form as is approved by the Air Board, that he is not receiving the whole or any portion of the instalment on his own behalf or on behalf of any other person, firm,

business, partnership or corporation in consequence of any assignment, whether made or given absolutely or by way of pledge, mortgage or otherwise, by the person to whom the instalment is payable.

(5.) In this regulation—

' postmaster ' includes a postmistress or person in charge of a post office ;

' other officer ' means an officer of the Postmaster-General's Department authorized by the proper departmental authority to pay instalments of allotments.

Allotments of members absent without leave or under

" 560.—(1.) When a member is reported to be absent without leave or without other sufficient cause, the prescribed authority shall be notified in such manner as the Air Board directs and, except under such conditions as the Minister approves, payment of any allotment made by the member shall be suspended as from the earliest possible date.

(2.) When a member who has been reported absent without leave or without other sufficient cause returns to duty or is taken into air-force custody, any allotment made by the member shall be dealt with in such manner as the Minister approves.

(3.) When a member incurs a forfeiture of pay, whether by award of his commanding officer or otherwise, any allotment made by the member shall, except under such conditions as the Minister approves, be suspended as from the earliest possible date.

Recovery of allotment paid during forfeiture.

" 561. The amount of any payment of allotment, or of a sum equal to an allotment, made during any period of forfeiture of pay shall be debited against the member in his pay account, and shall be deducted from any pay and pay allowances which are or become due or payable to the member concerned.

Reductions of allotment when pay account in debit

" 562. When a member's pay account shows a debit balance as a consequence of a penal deduction made from his pay or of the recovery of allotment payments in accordance with regulation 561 of these Regulations, and—

(a) the member is not entitled to receive marriage allowance— a prescribed authority may direct that any allotment made by the member shall be suspended until the debit is liquidated; or

(b) the member is entitled to receive marriage allowance and the amount of his allotment exceeds the amount of the qualifying allotment—a prescribed authority may direct that the amount of his allotment shall be reduced to the amount of the qualifying allotment until the debit is liquidated.

Member reported deal or missing.

" 563. In the event of a member being reported dead or missing, payment of any allotment authorized by the member shall be made for such periods and at such rates as the Minister, with the concurrence of the Treasurer, approves.

Allottee resident outside Australia.

" 564.—(1.) If a person to whom an allotment is made by a member resides outside Australia, payment of the allotment in the country where the allottee resides shall be subject to the approval of a prescribed authority.

(2.) Any payment of an allotment to a person resident outside Australia shall be made in Australian currency or its equivalent in any other currency converted at the prevailing rate of exchange.

" Division 5.—Rations, Quarters and Allowances in Lieu Thereof.

Provision of rations and quarters.

" 565. Wherever practicable, a member shall be provided with rations and with single quarters.

Provision allowance.

" 566. A member of the Permanent Air Force entitled to marriage allowance who is not supplied with rations and single quarters and is able to live at his home or in official married quarters shall be paid a provision allowance at the rate of Three shillings per day.

Living out allowance in Australia— Single members.

" 567. A member of the Permanent Air Force serving in Australia who is not entitled to marriage allowance and who is not supplied with rations and quarters, may be paid a living out allowance at the rate of—

(a) during the first thirty days—Six shillings per day ; and

(b) after the first thirty days—Four shillings and sixpence per day.

Living out allowance in Australia— Married members

" 568.—(1.) A member of the Permanent Air Force serving in Australia who is entitled to marriage allowance and separation allowance with rations and quarters may be paid a living out allowance at the rate specified in relation to his rank in the following table:—

Ration and lodging allowances in Australia— Single member

" 569.—(1.) A member of the Permanent Air Force serving in Australia who is not entitled to marriage allowance and who is not required by reason of his air-force duty to live away from his home, may be paid—

(a) for each day on which he is supplied with quarters but not with rations—a ration allowance at the rate of Three shillings per day ; or

(b) for each day on which he is supplied with rations but not with quarters—a lodging allowance at the rate of One shilling and sixpence per day.

(2.) A member of the Permanent Air Force serving in Australia who is not entitled to marriage allowance and who is required by reason of his air-force duty to live away from his home, may be paid—

(a) for each day on which he is supplied with quarters but not with rations—a ration allowance at the rate of Five shillings and sixpence per day for the first thirty days and Four shillings and sixpence per day thereafter ; or

(b) for each day on which he is supplied with rations but not with quarters—a lodging allowance at the rate of Three shillings and sixpence per day for the first thirty days and Two shillings and sixpence per day thereafter.

Ration and lodging allowances in Australia— Married member

" 570—(1.) A member of the Permanent Air Force serving in Australia who is entitled to marriage allowance and separation and who is supplied with quarters but not with rations, may be paid a ration allowance at the rate specified in relation to his rank in the following table :—

(2.) A member of the Permanent Air Force serving in Australia who is entitled to receive marriage allowance and separation allowance and who is supplied with rations but not with quarters, may be paid a lodging allowance at the rate specified in relation to his rank in the following table :—

Conditions to be approved by Air Board.

" 571. Payment of the allowances prescribed in regulations 567, 568, 569 and 570 of these Regulations shall be subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board.

Living out allowance—Outside Australia.

" 571a. A member of the Permanent Air Force who is serving outside Australia and who is not supplied with rations and quarters, may be paid an overseas living out allowance at a rate for the time being fixed by order made by the Minister, with the concurrence of the Treasurer, in respect of the country or locality in which the member is serving.

When rations and living not issuable.

" 571b. The allowances authorized by regulations 566, 567, 568 and 571a of these Regulations shall not be paid to a member—

(a) for days on which travelling allowance or meal allowance for three consecutive meals is granted to that member ;

(b) who is provided with meals in a government or civil hospital, prison, detention barracks or mental institution ;

(c) who is provided with meals on board ship, train or aircraft at Commonwealth expense ;

(d) who is on leave without pay ; or

(e) who is absent without leave.

Living out allowance while on leave.

" 571c.—(1.) Subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, a member of the Permanent Air Force who is not entitled to marriage allowance and who is granted leave of absence with pay for a period of not less than seventy-two hours may be paid a living allowance at the rate of Four shillings and sixpence per day.

(2.) For the purposes of this regulation, a period of less than seventy-two hours which includes nine normal meal periods shall be deemed to be a period of seventy-two hours.

Allowance for retention of quarters.

" 571d. Subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, a member of the Permanent Air Force who is not provided with quarters at his usual station and normally is in receipt of living out allowance, may be paid in respect of any period during which he is—

(a) in hospital ;

(b) temporarily absent from his usual station on duty and receiving travelling allowance ; or

(c) temporarily absent from his usual station on duty and provided with quarters and rations,

an allowance at a rate equal to the actual cost of retention of his accommodation or at the rate of Two shillings and sixpence per day, whichever is the lesser :

Provided that payment shall not be made under this regulation for any day in excess of a continuous period of thirty days.

Increase in rate of allowance.

" 571e. A claim for an increased rate of an allowance payable under this Division, consequent upon the promotion of a member to a higher rank, shall not be payable for any period prior to the date upon which the promotion is officially notified.

Member occupying married quarters.

"571f.—(1.) Where married quarters are provided by the Commonwealth for a married member of the Permanent Air Force, a deduction shall be made from his pay in respect of each day during which he occupies those quarters of a sum equal to the rental assessed in such a manner as the Minister, with the concurrence of the Treasurer, approves but not exceeding one-tenth of the member's daily rate of pay and pay allowances.

(2.) A member who is occupying official married quarters shall not be provided with rations, but may be paid provision allowance as prescribed by regulation 566 of these Regulations.

Particulars of living conditions.

" 571g.—(1.) At the time of claiming living out allowance, a member shall furnish to his commanding officer, in accordance with such form as is approved by the Air Board, such particulars relating to his wife or children and to his place of residence as are indicated in the form to be required.

(2.) When living out allowance is being paid to a member and any person stated previously to be dependent upon him ceases to be so dependent, or any change occurs in his domestic circumstances or in his matrimonial relationship to his wife which is likely to affect the rate of living out allowance or the continuation of the allowance, the member shall forthwith notify his commanding officer in writing of the change in circumstances.

Division 6.—Uniform Allowance.

Issue of uniform on first appointment or enlistment.

" 572.—(1.) On first appointment or enlistment a member shall be provided with a free issue of personal clothing (including uniform) and necessaries in accordance with a scale approved by the Air Board.

(2.) An officer or warrant officer may, in lieu of receiving an initial free issue, purchase privately such of the articles of personal clothing and necessaries as are authorized by the Air Board to be purchased, and may be refunded the actual cost of such articles, not exceeding the vocabulary price as approved by the Air Board.

Uniform allowance.

" 573.—(1.) Subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, a uniform allowance of One shilling per day shall be paid to a member (other than an airman apprentice) of the Permanent Air Force for the maintenance of his personal clothing and necessaries.

(2.) Uniform allowance shall not be paid in respect of any day on which leave without pay is granted.

(3.) Except under such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, uniform allowance shall be forfeited for any day for which the whole of a member's pay is forfeited.

Cost of repairs, &c.

" 574. Except under such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, the cost of repairs, washing and maintenance of personal clothing and necessaries shall not be a charge against the Commonwealth.

Free issue of uniform on promotion.

" 575. A member promoted to a higher rank may be provided with a free issue of such additional items of personal clothing and necessaries as are approved by the Air Board.".

8. Regulation 578 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed and the following regulation inserted in its stead :—

Rates of travelling allowance.

" 578.—(1.) Subject to these Regulations and to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, travelling allowance at the daily rates specified in the following tables may be paid to a member of the Permanent Air Force in respect of the time during which he is absent on duty from his permanent station, involving absence from his usual place of residence :—

TABLE I—OPERATIVE ON AND FROM THE FIRST DAY OF JULY, 1947, UP TO AND INCLUDING THE SECOND DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1947.

TABLE II—OPERATIVE ON AND FROM THE THIRD DAY OF SEPTEMBER, 1947.

(2.) For the purposes of this regulation—

' married member ' means a member who is entitled to receive marriage allowance ; and,

' single member ' means a member other than a married member.".

Temporary absence when travelling allowance being paid.

9. Regulation 583 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulation (2.) and inserting in its stead the following sub-regulations :—

" (2.) When a member who is receiving the rate of travelling allowance payable under regulation 578 of these Regulations after twenty-one days' residence in the same place, is required to leave that place for a period of not more than seven days for duty elsewhere, and it is necessary during that period for him to continue to pay for board and lodging at his former place of duty, payment of travelling allowance at the rate applicable after twenty-one days' residence in the same place shall be continued for the period of the absence, and, if official quarters and rations are not available to him during the period of the absence, he may be paid, in addition, travelling allowance at the prescribed rates for the locality in which he is required to serve.

(3.) When a member who is receiving travelling allowance is required to leave his place of residence for a period of more than seven days for duty elsewhere, travelling allowance in respect of his former place of duty shall cease as from the date of leaving that place.".

Increase of allowance on promotion.

10. Regulation 589 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the words and figures " of notification of the promotion as prescribed by regulation 531a." and inserting in their stead the words " on which the promotion is officially notified ".

11. Regulation 590 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed and the following regulation is inserted in its stead :—

Where quarters or rations are available.

" 590. Unless in special circumstances the Air Board otherwise approves, when a member is absent on duty from his permanent station and—

(a) he is provided with quarters but not with rations—the prescribed rate of travelling allowance shall be reduced by one-third ;

(b) he is provided with rations but not with quarters—the prescribed rate of travelling allowance shall be reduced by two-thirds.".

12. Regulation 591 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed and the following regulation is inserted in its stead :—

Where both quarters and rations are available.

" 591. Subject to regulation 583 of these Regulations, a member when travelling on duty shall not be paid travelling allowance for any period during which quarters and rations are available to him.".

13. Regulation 593 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed and the following regulation is inserted in its stead :—

Temporary duty in vicinity of home.

" 593. A member who is receiving marriage allowance and who is absent from his usual station on duty shall not be paid travelling allowance for any period during which he is able to live at his home."

Limitation of period.

14. Regulation 595 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the words " three months " and inserting in their stead the words " eight weeks ".

Special meal allowance.

15. Regulation 598a of the Air Force Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) the words " subject to the next succeeding sub-regulation " and inserting in their stead the words " subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board "; and

(b) by omitting sub-regulation (2.).

Removal allowance on completion of service.

16. Regulation 610 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by inserting in sub-regulation (1.) after the words " A member " the words " of the Permanent Air Force ".

Repeal of Division 8 of Part XI.

17. Division 8 of Part XI. of the Air Force Regulations is repealed.

Medical attendance— Wives and families.

18. Regulation 619 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed.

Provision of medical attendance.

19. Regulation 624 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting sub-regulations (2.) and (3.).

Member on leave without pay.

20. Regulation 627 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting the words " nor shall the provisions of regulation 619 apply to the wife or children of such a member ".

Medicines and dressings.

21. Regulation 629 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed.

Medical officers— Scale of allowances.

22. Regulation 632 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (1.) paragraphs (f), (g) and (l).

Repeal of Divisions 10 and 11 of Part XI.

23. Divisions 10 and 11 of Part XI. of the Air Force Regulations are repealed.

Rates of pay.

24. Regulation 646 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by omitting from sub-regulation (3.) the words " Lodging, fuel and light, separation or ration allowance " and inserting in their stead the word " Allowances ".

Acting ranks and temporary appointments.

25. Regulation 649 of the Air Force Regulations is amended—

(a) by omitting the words " or temporary "; and

(b) by omitting the proviso thereto.

Pay of Chaplains.

26. Regulation 650a of the Air Force Regulations is repealed.

Separation allowance.

27. Regulation 653 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed.

Air gunners' pay.

28. Regulation 655 of the Air Force Regulations is repealed.

Allowances for special services.

29. Regulation 658 of the Air Force Regulations is amended by inserting in sub-regulation (1.), after the word " substantive " (where-ever occurring), the words " or temporary ".

Non-reduction allowance.

30.—(1.) Subject to such conditions as are approved by the Air Board, a member who was employed on full-time air-force duty on the thirtieth day of June, 1947, shall be paid on and from the first day of July, 1947, a non-reduction allowance at a daily rate equal to the amount by which the daily rate of emoluments payable to him on the thirtieth day of June, 1947, exceeds the daily rate of emoluments payable to him from time to time after that date.

(2.) For the purposes of this regulation, the Air Board, with the concurrence of the Treasurer, shall determine the emoluments which shall be taken into account for the purpose of computing the daily rate of non-reduction allowance which may be paid to a member.

(3.) When a member to whom this regulation applies suffers a reduction in the daily rate of the emoluments paid to him after the thirtieth day of June, 1947, by reason of—

(a) a reversion in rank ;

(b) a transfer from one branch or group to another ; or

(c) the loss of or reduction in the rate of any emolument to be taken into account for the purpose of computing the non-reduction allowance payable to a member under this regulation,

he shall, subject to this regulation, be paid, as from the date of that reduction, a non-reduction allowance at a daily rate equal to the non-reduction allowance (if any) to which he would have been entitled on the date of that reduction, had such reduction occurred on the thirtieth day of June, 1947.

(4.) When any change occurs in the domestic circumstances of a member who is in receipt of a non-reduction allowance under this regulation, which would, had it occurred on the thirtieth day of June, 1947, have reduced the amount of dependants allowance payable in respect of the member on the latter date, the non-reduction allowance

shall, on and from the date of the change, be reduced by the amount of the reduction in dependants allowance, or cancelled if the amount of the reduction in dependants allowance exceeds the amount of the non-reduction allowance previously payable.

(5.) An allowance payable under this regulation shall be deemed for the purposes of the Air Force Regulations to be a pay allowance within the meaning of Division 3 of Part XI. of the Air Force Regulations.

Date of operation.

31.—(1.) These Regulations shall be deemed to have come into operation on the first day of July, 1947.

(2.) If, in respect of the period from and including the first day of July, 1947, to the date of notification in the Gazette of these Regulations, the total amount of daily pay (including deferred pay) and allowances prescribed by the Air Force Regulations or the Air Force (War Financial) Regulations as payable to a member was higher than the total amount of daily pay and allowances payable to him under the Air Force Regulations, as amended by these Regulations, the member shall not be entitled to recover the amount of the difference.

By Authority: L. F. Johnston, Commonwealth Government Printer, Canberra.