HC Deb 18 June 1941 vol 372 cc624-5
14. Mr. Granville

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that the Royal Air Force are using an increasing number of aircraft from the United States of America, he will consider sending to that country a number of technical and ground staff personnel, in addition to flying crews, for the purpose of first-hand training with American technical equipment?

Sir A. Sinclair

I appreciate my hon. Friend's suggestion, but adequate arrangements have already been made in this country for giving training to ground personnel in the use of American equipment.

Mr. Granville

As there are reputed to be seven ground staff, or technical men, to one flying man, has my right hon. Friend considered sending instructor-trainees to America to study American technical questions, and sending men from Canada into America? Can he give an assurance that technical training is keeping pace with aircraft and flying personnel?

Sir A. Sinclair

The answer to the last part of the question is, "yes." These facilities for training in American aircraft already exist in this country. We are very much helped by the fact that representatives of American firms are coming over here and giving us the benefit of their knowledge in instructing our people here. The courses have to be quite short, and it would be quite uneconomic to send our people over to the United States for this purpose.

Mr. Granville

Would it not facilitate matters if trainees could be sent from Canada into America, to obtain instruction which they could impart on arrival in this country?

Sir A. Sinclair

My hon. Friend does not appreciate that the needs have been met by the arrangements I have described and the help which the Americans are giving by coming over to this country themselves and placing their services at our disposal.

Mr. Simmonds

Would my right hon. Friend bear in mind that it is much more important to have the American technicians coming over here? Would he see that they are attached to the first operational squadrons of each of the American types, so that those squadrons immediately have the benefit of those technical officers?

Sir A. Sinclair

I am in complete agreement with my hon. Friend; and what he suggests is, in fact, being done.