HC Deb 28 February 1945 vol 408 cc1362-3
24. Sir Wavell Wakefield

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will expedite the transferring of huts no longer in use on balloon sites to units of the A.T.C. for their use; and will be also expedite the transference of blister hangars, now surplus to requirements, to gliding sites to replace obsolete and leaking besonneaus.

Sir A. Sinclair

Surplus balloon huts required by A.T.C. units are made available to them reasonably quickly after the receipt of applications. I regret that the supply position does not permit of the transfer to the A.T.C. of more than the small number of blister hangars which have been offered to the Corps recently.

Sir W. Wakefield

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he will expedite the transfer of these blister hangars, because gliders are being ruined and spoiled through being inadequately housed?

Sir A. Sinclair

I will certainly see if anything can be done to expedite the transfer of the blister hangars which have been promised, but, as I have told my hon. Friend, there will be no supplies available in future.

25. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will arrange for the surplus training equipment formerly used by the initial training wings and which has now been placed in store to be supplied to units of the A.T.C. in order that interest may be maintained in the activities of the corps and the present wastage of cadets correspondingly reduced.

Sir A. Sinclair

Equipment returned to store by R.A.F. formations, including initial training wings, is used in relief of demands for the maintenance of the R.A.F. as a whole. I am, however, obliged to my hon. Friend for his suggestion, and I am considering whether there are any items of surplus training equipment in main stores, which can be made available for issue to the A.T.C.

Sir W. Wakefield

While again thanking the right hon. Gentleman for that reply, may I ask if he is aware that there is a very large amount of excellent surplus training equipment which is just the sort of thing which would be most helpful to the A.T.C. in maintaining interest in training cadets and which has been used by the initial training wings?

Sir A. Sinclair

As I have said before, it is in my answer; I am looking into that very point.

26. Sir W. Wakefield

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will arrange for the balloon winches, which are now no longer required for operational purposes, to be transferred to the A.T.C. to enable a greater amount of gliding to be done by cadets.

Sir A. Sinclair

There is still a demand for winches for R.A.F. purposes, but a fair number have already been issued to the Air Training Corps and it is expected that more will shortly be made available.