§ 6. Mr. Simmondsasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is satisfied that there remains in the British Airways services a sufficient number of experienced navigators to maintain these services in safety?
§ Sir A. SinclairYes, Sir.
§ Mr. SimmondsWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that he has said that these services, which are of national importance, will be maintained, and will he therefore see that the temptation to take these navigators for wholly military duties is very carefully watched?
§ Mr. GranvilleIn view of the changes in civil aviation in this country, particularly as regards the European and overseas services, will the right hon. Gentleman see that skilled long-distance navigators are given every opportunity to volunteer for the work of ferrying bombers from America to this country?
§ Sir A. SinclairCertainly, we shall make the greatest possible use of skilled and experienced navigators for ferrying machines across the Atlantic. As regards the Supplementary Question of my hon. Friend the Member for Duddeston (Mr. Simmonds), as I said before, we intend to maintain the existing civil services, but my hon. Friend must bear in mind the urgent requirements of the war. We, at any rate, have to bear them in mind.
§ Mr. GranvilleCan the right ho[...] Gentleman say whether British Airways have in operation a training scheme for navigators?
§ Sir A. SinclairI think the hon. Member might put that Question down.