Chapman Pincher! That rings a bell. They did a one off trial rear facing ejection from a Valiant in the early 60s.. CP got hold of this and he wrote a premonition that must have been composed after a hefty liquid lunch. He forcast that Comets and Brittanias would be fitted with rows of these seats and paratroopers would be fired in broadsides from them into action.
The laughing in the Air Ministry was heard in both the War Office and the Admiralty.