§ 19. Mr. NEIL MACLEANasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air to how many private light aeroplane clubs Government subsidy has been granted; how many clubs have received the maximum subsidy; and the total sum paid in the past financial year; and whether, in view of the Government's insistence upon economy, he will reconsider this matter?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)As regards the first two parts of the question, excluding clubs affiliated to National Flying Services, 15 light aeroplane clubs have received subsidy payments. No club has in fact received the maximum subsidy under the 1931 scheme and the total subsidy payments to the clubs during that financial year amounted to approximately £10,220. As regards the lust part of the question, my Noble Friend very carefully examined the subject in all its bearings before reaching the conclusion that it was in the national interest to maintain these clubs in being, and that their continued existence could only be secured by the revised scheme recently approved. I may say that his decision received general endorsement from this House on the occasion of the Debate on Air Estimates.
§ Mr. MACLEANSince the Government have declared the necessity for economy, and as this is purely an amateur sport, will the hon. Gentleman, in reconsidering the matter, if he is going to find it possible in the present circumstances to subsidise a gentleman's sport, he will also subsidise other sports in which the workers take part?