§ 28. Mr. BILLINGasked the Under-Secretary of State for War whether, in view of the necessity for increasing both the number and technical and mechanical knowledge of our pilots, he will favourably consider any application from men 2287 between the age of eighteen and twenty-five serving either at home or abroad for immediate enrolment in special cadet squadrons, thus enabling them to have a sound course of engineering instruction pending facilities for flying tuition?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONSpecial cadet squadrons of this kind were instituted some time ago, and there is a large number of pupils under instruction.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill the hon. Gentleman answer my question, which was whether he is prepared to favourably consider applications from men from eighteen to twenty-five in order to increase the reserve of pilots?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONNo doubt any application made by a suitable person will be considered at once by the proper Department.
§ Mr. BILLINGWill you issue an Order that both in France and in England that these applications are requested?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI will consult my military advisers about that. I can assure my hon. Friend that we have a very large number of very suitable pupils undergoing instruction at the present time.
§ Commander WEDGWOODIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there are certain branches of the Army or certain officers at the front who will not allow their men to go into the Royal Flying Corps, and will steps be taken, for instance, to see that officers of the Army Service Corps permit their men to go into the Royal Flying Corps?
§ Mr. MACPHERSONI will bring that point before my Noble Friend.