§ 56. Captain Harold Balfourasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether physical training is part of the regular training for airmen at all Royal Air Force home stations; whether suitable light change-kit is issued for this purpose; and whether adequate time and facilities are now provided for changing and for baths at all new Royal Air Force stations?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe answers to the first and last parts of the question are in the affirmative. As regards the second part, airmen on entry are supplied with gymnastic clothing free.
§ Captain BalfourWhen the clothing is worn out, will the airmen have to pay for it by stoppages?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadAirmen are required to maintain it out of the quarterly clothing allowance.
§ 57. Captain Balfourasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the importance of maximum physical fitness for pilots and the fact that the Royal Air Force Sports Board are unable to grant further loans due to lack of funds, he will consider making loans from public funds for the provision of squash racquet courts at new Royal Air Force stations where there are more than 30 dining members and where no accumulated mess funds exist which can be used for building?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadSquash racquet courts at Royal Air Force stations are provided not at the public charge but out of funds in the hands of the Royal Air Force Sports Board, and it is not in contemplation to finance their provision by loans from public funds. The Board has already provided 5o squash courts. The question of the best means of facilitating the building of such courts in future is under active consideration.
§ 58. Captain Balfourasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether the tennis courts and gymnasia provided from public funds for the use of non-commissioned officers and men at the new Royal Air Force stations are built at the same time as the rest of the station or are completed after other buildings; and, in the latter case, what other physical fitness facilities are provided until tennis courts and an equipped gymnasium are available?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadEssential living and technical accommodation is provided first at new Royal Air Force stations, other buildings, including gymnasia where approved, and tennis courts being completed subsequently. At stations not equipped with tennis courts or gymnasia, facilities for other outdoor sports are provided and in some cases facilities are available for indoor exercises.
§ Captain BalfourCan the Under-Secretary of State say whether the construction of these buildings is started always at the same time, or whether it is only commenced when the rest of the station is finished?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI think it is safe to say that they are often started after construction of the rest of the station, at all events, is well advanced. I could not actually say that in all cases the rest of the station is fully completed before they are started.