HC Deb 26 July 1939 vol 350 cc1443-4
31. Mr. Day

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty what training in aviation is provided for the naval cadets and midshipmen at Dartmouth College; and are arrangements made for these persons to take periodical flights in aeroplanes, or trips in submarines during the course of their training?

Mr. Shakespeare

Naval cadets undergoing training at the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, are given lectures on aviation by the Fleet Air Arm officer on the college staff; opportunity is taken for these cadets to visit submarines when they call at Dartmouth. All naval cadets —both from Dartmouth and special entry —are given some air experience in the aircraft carried in the training cruiser His Majesty's Ship "Vindictive." Midshipmen, while serving in the Fleet, are, whenever possible, given a short air course in an aircraft carrier; where circumstances prevent this, it is carried out at a later stage of the officers' training.

Mr. Day

Do we understand that these cadets do not have a chance of continual periodical flights?

Mr. Shakespeare

Not at all.

Mr. Alexander

Will the hon. Gentleman see that these cadets are not given air training until comparatively late?