§ 28. Mr. Edelmanasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he has any statement to make concerning financial aid to flying clubs.
§ Mr. LindgrenNo, Sir.
§ Mr. EdelmanIs my hon. Friend aware that in the meantime at least one flying club has had to close down through lack of funds, and will he bring the matter to a successful conclusion by renewing the subsidy to the club?
§ Mr. LindgrenI am aware that certain clubs have got into difficulties. As far as the latter part of the question is concerned, there is a desire to help and ways and means of helping are now under discussion with both the Air Ministry and the Treasury.
§ Mr. JenningsDoes not the Parliamentary Secretary agree that it would be far better and more valuable to spend money in this way than to lose the millions of pounds which are being lost today on civil aviation?
Mr. Ivor ThomasIf I may ask my hon. Friend to be a little more forthcoming in this matter, is it not strange that the State should not be willing to help those young men who are willing to give up their time and spend a considerable amount of money in training themselves?
§ Mr. LindgrenThe State is willing to help but there are considerable difficulties, in as much as there is a distinction between assisting young men to become pilots and assisting in the sport of the very rich who can afford to fly.
§ Mr. RankinIf my hon. Friend has no statement to make now, can he say if he expects to be able to make any statement on this matter in the near future?
§ Mr. LindgrenAs soon as possible.
Mr. Ivor ThomasIn view of the nature of the answer, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment.