HC Deb 12 June 1941 vol 372 cc341-2
Mr. Graham White (By Private Notice)

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether arrangements have been made for the training of pilots and observers for the Royal Air Force in the United States of America?

The Secretary of State for Air (Sir Archibald Sinclair)

Yes, Sir. I am glad to be able to inform the House that as recently announced by Mr. Stimson, the United States Secretary for War, arrangements have been made for the training of pilots and observers for the Royal Air Force in schools in the United States of America. The pupils to be trained at these schools will in the main be provided from this country and the numbers who can be accommodated will be on a steadily increasing scale. The provision of these facilities will make possible a further expansion of our air power, and I should like to express the gratitude which I am sure all hon. Members must feel to the United States Administration for authorising these arrangements which have involved the turning over to training for the Royal Air Force of flying training capacity already developed including aerodromes, aircraft, instructors and maintenance personnel. I should emphasise that the utilisation of these facilities does not involve any reduction in the amount of training which is to be done in this country and the Dominions. On the contrary, the vast joint Air Training Plan in Canada is being developed far beyond its original scope and is well ahead of schedule.

Mr. Garro Jones

Is it proposed to carry this training to the full operational stage, or will it be only elementary training on American types?

Sir A. Sinclair

Certainly it is not to be elementary training only. It will be elementary and advanced training.

Mr. Garro Jones

Will it be on American or British types?

Sir A. Sinclair

The training given in the American schools will be on American types of aircraft which are very generously furnished to us.

Earl Winterton

May I ask how it has come about that an announcement of this most satisfactory state of affairs was made in the United States over a week ago, and appeared in all the British Press, and that only now has it been announced by the Government through the medium of a Private Notice Question?

Sir A. Sinclair

In a matter of this kind, when this very generous initiative has come from the United States Government, it is only natural that they should make the first announcement. Of course, if any hon. Member had asked me a Question earlier, after the announcement was made in the United States of America, I should have been glad to answer it.

Earl Winterton

Does not my right hon. Friend think it most desirable, in view of our very close working with that great friendly Government, that when announcements are made by the United States Government they should be made simultaneously, or just afterwards, by His Majesty's Government?

Sir A. Sinclair

It is indeed desirable, but as I have said, I think that in this matter it was for the United States Government to take the first step.

Mr. Granville

In view of the fact that the Royal Air Force are more and more using American aircraft, does my right hon. Friend's statement mean that the training in America will include the training of technical personnel and staff?

Sir A. Sinclair

The training to which I have referred is flying training.

Mr. Noel-Baker

Is this scheme being financed under the Lease-Lend Act?

Sir A. Sinclair

The provisions of the Lease-Lend Act will be very helpful to the financing of this scheme.