36. Air Commodore Harveyasked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many cadets from the Royal Naval College, Dartmouth, have been commissioned during the past five years; and how many of them have qualified to fly.
§ The First Lord of the Admiralty (Mr. J. P. L. Thomas)Cadets in the Royal Navy are granted commissions when they 457 reach the confirmed rank of sublieutenant. If officers in the electrical and supply branches, who normally do not fly, are omitted, 954 Dartmouth cadets have been commissioned during the past five years. Of these, 54 have so far qualified to fly, and others will do so in due course.
Air Commodore HarveyDoes my right hon. Friend really think that these figures show that Her Majesty's Navy is following the modern trend and training for warfare? Will he really stress the importance to the Admiralty of training as many young officers as possible to learn how to fly?
§ Mr. ThomasI can assure my hon. and gallant Friend that the Admiralty are very well aware of the value of learning to fly, but this scheme is only at its beginning, although the numbers are increasingly encouraging, and will improve in the next year or two. I can assure him that we are doing everything to try to improve the figures.
§ Mr. de FreitasHow do these figures compare with foreign naval colleges like Annapolis, or the Russian Naval Academy?
§ Mr. ThomasI must have notice of that question.
§ Captain RyderWhat are the facilities provided for gaining experience of long. range shore based aircraft?
§ Mr. ThomasI am glad that that question has been raised, but I must have notice of it.