§ 58. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, seeing that sergeant-pilots after five years' flying service are placed on the reserve list of pilots, he will state what means are taken to keep them efficient as pilots?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The Commanding Officer of an airman who has reverted to trade employment after five years' service as a pilot is responsible that the airman maintains himself in regular flying practice and carries out as much flying as possible, and in any case not less than three hours flying each quarter. Airmen who carry out the prescribed minimum and are certified as competent pilots are eligible for a bounty at the rate of £10 a, year.
§ 59. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the Air Ministry advertisements for recruits, he will say how many commissions are to be granted to sergeant-pilots before their five years' flying time has expired; and what is the number of commissions designated and the number granted for 1928?
§ Sir P. SASSOONAs regards the first part of the question, the number of permanent commissions to be granted to airmen pilots depends upon the requirements of the service and the suitability of the candidates recommended. The number will vary, therefore, from time to time, and is not subject to any arbitrary limit. As regards the second part, no such commissions have been granted so far during 1928; recommendations are to be considered in October next, but I cannot say how many (if any) will then be granted.
§ 60. Mr. HORE-BELISHAasked the Secretary of State for Air if he is satisfied with the present system of reverting sergeant-pilots, after five years' flying service, to their previous rank, status, and pay; if he has received from official or other sources information disclosing discontent among the ranks affected; and if he is willing to submit for the information of Members the documents in which approval was given for this system to be adopted?
§ Sir P. SASSOONAs this answer is rather a long one, perhaps the hon. Member will allow me to circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Following is the answer:
§ As regards the first part of the question, the hon. Member appears to have been misinformed. When a sergeants pilot reverts to his former trade employment on completion of five years' flying service, he retains the rank of sergeant and receives the pay of that rank, but not, of course, the additional pay as pilot. He receives, however, a bounty of £10 a year conditional upon his continuing in flying practice. I have no reason to regard this arrangement as unsatisfactory. As regards the second part of the question, the rule that airmen pilots must revert to trade employment after five years' flying service has been obligatory since 1st January, 1927, and all men who have commenced training as pilots since that date have volunteered on that understanding. The rule is necessary in order to maintain the reserve. Airmen who commenced training as pilots before that date were offered the option of continuing under the old system or coming under the new rule and the majority chose the latter alternative. I am not aware of any discontent and do not see on what grounds it could exist. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.