§ 35. Sir J. D. REESasked the Under-Secretary of State for India whether the provision of £15,500 and £4,100 for forming a school of aeronautics and for aviation buildings, respectively, represents all that is to be done in India in 1913–14 in respect of military aviation; whether officers of native regiments when on leave in England will be under some official disability, which prevents them from being appointed to the Royal Flying Corps; whether officers of British regiments serving in India can only join such corps on less favourable pecuniary terms than their brother officers serving in regiments at home; whether an officer who was attached for a short period to the late air battalion has been appointed adviser on aviation to the Indian General Staff; why officers serving in India, which offers superior physical conditions for airship and aeroplane practice to those obtaining in these Islands, are not encouraged to perfect themselves in the art of aviation by being allowed to join the Royal Flying Corps on favourable terms; and whether the Secretary of State in Council will advise the Governor General in Council that the provisions made in the Budget and the conditions under which officers serving in India can learn the art of aviation are wholly inadequate to the importance this branch of warfare has attained?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY for INDIA (Mr. Montagu)The Government of India intend to have their own school of military aviation, and have provided the sums mentioned by the hon. Member to meet preliminary charges in the present year. The scheme will be under an officer trained in the Home air battalion here, and the future staff of instructors will be similarly trained at the cost of Indian revenues. In view of the facilities which will shortly 1163 exist in India, it is not considered necessary to assist from Indian revenues officers of the Indian Army to learn flying in this country, or to accept charges on account of the training here of officers of British regiments stationed in India. The Secretary of State has no reason to suppose that these arrangements will prove inadequate.
§ Mr. JOYNSON-HICKSCan the hon. Gentleman fill in the answer with a date or two; when it is going to take place?
§ Mr. MONTAGUI am afraid I could not do so without referring once again to the papers. I will let him know.