§ 31. Group Captain Wilcockasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many members of the Royal Air Force were sent to Canada for elementary flying training during 1952; and how many are expected to be sent to Canada during 1953.
Mr. WardOver 1,000 trainees went to Canada for pilot or navigator training during 1952. The final allocation of vacancies for 1953 has not yet been made, but some 177 pilots and 296 navigators are expected to begin training there up to June next. This training, which is arranged through the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation, includes applied as well as elementary training and will be extended to include advanced flying training on jet aircraft.
§ Group Captain WilcockDoes not my hon. Friend agree that that is an indication that civilian training, or the training of pilots by civilians, is to continue in Canada but discontinue in this country? Is not that an extraordinary principle to be adopted by this Government?
Mr. WardNo, Sir; the two things are not comparable, for three good reasons. First of all, the Canadian training is all-through training—basic, applied, and even jets, whereas this civilian training is only with Chipmunks. Secondly, on economic grounds, the Canadian scheme is owing to the generosity of the Canadians themselves. They are making this contribution to N.A.T.O., and it does not cost us anything. Finally, there is the strategic consideration that it is just as well to have as many people as possible doing their training in Canada.