HC Deb 28 January 1953 vol 510 cc981-3
7. Mr. Janner

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he will reconsider his decision to close down 16 training schools for pilots and navigators, in view of the adverse effect on air training.

Mr. Ward

No, Sir. My noble Friend is satisfied that the future requirements of the Royal Air Force for pilots and navigators can be effectively met without making use of these 16 schools.

Mr. Janner

Is the Minister aware that this is not the opinion held by those who have been considering this problem outside the Air Ministry, and will he give fresh consideration to it in view of the considerable amount of feeling in the opposite direction which exists in the country?

Mr. Ward

I can assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that very careful consideration has been given to this matter in the Air Ministry and that we took this step with the greatest possible reluctance. I am certain, however, that anyone who has studied the facts which led us to take this decision will agree that it was inevitable.

Mr. Perkins

Has my hon. Friend received a second request from the British Air Line Pilots Association for discussions, and if so what answer was sent?

Mr. Ward

I understand that my noble Friend has written to B.A.L.P.A. making it quite clear that both he and myself are willing to meet them at any time to discuss problems arising out of the closing of these schools. We have had to make it clear, however, that we cannot discuss with them the question of financial compensation.

Mr. Manuel

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that pilots and navigators at those training schools for one year's service were asked to make superannuation payments, thus conveying to those men that their situations were permanent? How now is the Minister proposing to give them employment which will ensure continuity of the superannuation contributions that have been paid in the past?

Mr. Ward

The question of superannuation was one between the employer and the employee and the terms of the contracts between the civil firms and the Air Ministry are perfectly clear.

Air Commodore Harvey

Does my hon. Friend realise that the terms of contract make no allowance for pensions rights and that the onus is quite clearly on the Air Ministry?

Mr. de Freitas

Will the Minister have another look at this matter, and in looking at it will he give consideration to Kirton Lindsay which only opened last year and in the case of which, I believe, on the statement made by the Under-Secretary last Wednesday, the contractors were led to believe that there was definitely a three years' engagement?

Mr. Ward

I can only give another assurance that we have examined the matter in all its details, and while I always keep an open mind and will consider any points which hon. Members may bring to me, I can assure them that this was not a hasty decision.

8. Group Captain Wilcock

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the anxiety which has been caused to flying instructors and ground staff of volunteer reserve schools by the uncertainty of the future of volunteer reserve training, he will now give an assurance that no such schools will be closed other than those already notified.

Mr. Ward

While I appreciate the anxiety of instructors and other staff at the reserve flying schools, I regret that I am not yet in a position to make a statement about our future reserve requirements. I shall, however, deal with the matter fully in the Air Estimates debate.

Group Captain Wilcock

Is the Minister not aware that owing to the uncertainty of the future many pilots and ground crew mechanics at these schools are now seeking employment outside aviation—indeed, outside the country? Will he not now give an assurance that no further damage will be done to the training organisation of this country by closing down further schools?

Mr. Ward

I cannot accept the implication that we have damaged the training organisation of this country in any way.

Mr. Beswick

Is the Under-Secretary not aware that he has created alarm and despondency throughout the industry and that he ought at any rate to do something to stabilise the present position?