§ 17. Air-Commodore Harveyasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he is now in a position to make a statement regarding financial assistance to flying clubs.
§ Mr. LindgrenI would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for West Coventry (Mr. Edelman) on 3rd November.
§ Air-Commodore HarveyDoes the Minister realise that the Straight Committee made its findings nearly a year and a half ago, and, in view of the semi-promises we have had in the last two years about flying clubs, will he do something about it and get an early decision 1530 from the Treasury to support this very urgent need?
§ Mr. LindgrenYes, Sir. We are doing all we can, but, as the hon. and gallant Gentleman knows, there are difficulties, and the Treasury does need some convincing.
§ 18. Mr. Turtonasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will introduce legislation to make grants towards the maintenance and repair of the aircraft and equipment used for training by British gliding clubs, or if not what assistance he proposes to ensure that persons of moderate means can take part in the gliding movement.
§ Mr. LindgrenAs I indicated in my reply to the question put by my hon. Friend the Member for West Coventry (Mr. Edelman) on 3rd November, ways of helping flying clubs are at present under consideration, and the position of gliding clubs is being borne in mind in this connection.
§ Mr. TurtonDoes the Minister appreciate that, meanwhile, only those with substantial means can afford to go in for gliding? As this industry gave so much to the Government during the war, both in machines and in personnel to train other people for gliding, will he make an early decision in this matter?
§ Mr. LindgrenYes, Sir. The general relationship of air-mindedness to air transport is one of the considerations we have in mind.