§ 89. Mr. RAPERasked the Secretary of State for Air if he is aware of the fact that, although the scheme instituted by the French authorities to encourage approved pilots to maintain their practical association with flying by means of giving free loan of machines for flights, free fuel, and even free insurance of the aviator while in the air, has only been in force for a very little time, already considerably over one thousand practice flights have been made at the three aerodromes, which have been opened for the purpose at Orley, Angers, and Clermont-Ferrand; and will he consider the granting of similar facilities to approved pilots in this country?
Captain GUESTI am obliged to the hon. and gallant Member for his interesting information about the French Air Force. I may add that the French treat their Reserve pilots, while undergoing a course, in exactly the same way as serving personnel, and that the period is actually reckoned as service. There is, 1237 at present, no authority to form an Air Force Reserve of pilots, but the Regulations to establish one will, it is hoped, be approved and issued shortly. Provision will be made for periodical flying practice for those Reserve officers who would be employed on flying duties in the event of mobilisation. It is not considered that provision, from public funds, of free facilities for flying, in the case of officers who have no Reserve liability, would be justified.