§ 47 and 49. Captain HAROLD BALFOURasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air (1) what is the average time which elapses between the first application by a civil pilot for a "B" licence and the granting of such licence;
(2) whether he will consider the desirability of freeing civil commercial air pilots applying for a "B" licence from having to attend at the Royal Air Force service station, Hendon, for general flying and cross-country flying examination tests; and whether he will consider the advantages of having a civil test system for civil transport pilots divorced from Royal Air Force work?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The average time taken to obtain a licence where the practical tests have to be completed is from two to three months from the date of first application. This period may be exceeded as result of weather conditions and of having to wait for a suitably dark night for the night flying test. It is agreed that the present system calls for review, particularly on the point whether the flying tests should continue to be conducted at Hendon. This is Already under consideration.
§ Captain BALFOURCan my right hon. Friend say how soon he will be able to divorce civil aviation from Service aviation?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThat matter will be dealt with under the review.