§ 17. Lord Apsleyasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the activities of the civil flying clubs started before the war have now come to an end, and that these premises, aerodromes and machines are, in most cases, lying idle and deteriorating through disuse; that the civil air guard organisation initiated by his Department two years ago has been allowed to disintegrate; and whether he will consider making use of this wasted potential for the increase of gliding, soaring and small-powered glider-flying activities on the lines followed by Germany after 1920?
§ The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Samuel Hoare)I am aware of the cessation of the activities of civil flying clubs and of the civil air guard organisation, to which my Noble Friend refers, but this is an inevitable sequel to the limitations imposed by defence considerations upon civil flying during war. Most of the aircraft owned by the clubs have already been requisitioned for the Royal Air Force or have been earmarked for requisitioning. With regard to the last part of the Question, it is not practicable to include gliding in the syllabus of training for pilots for the Royal Air Force, but the possibility of including it in the facilities for organised recreation is under consideration.
§ Lord ApsleyIs there not a great deal of difference between requisitioning and earmarking; is it not the case that a large number of these privately-owned machines are still lying rusting in their hangars; and cannot some use be made of these machines as well as of the large number of pilots who would like to have the opportunity of flying?
§ Sir S. HoareThat is not my information, but I will look into my Noble Friend's point.