§ 10. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs how many foreign pilots who served during the last war in the air forces of ex-enemy countries are to be trained in Britain; what countries are concerned; the reason for bringing them to Britain for training; anf if he will give an assurance that no part of their training will fall on public funds.
§ Mr. NuttingHer Majesty's Government cannot predict the intentions of private firms in this country to whom it is open to give flying instruction to foreigners who visit the United Kingdom. There is no question of any part of the cost of this training falling on public funds.
§ Mr. HughesBut is this not a kind of unilateral nudism which may do a great deal of harm to this country in the event of war? Is it not wrong for the Government to begin to allow this kind of thing? Would it not be better to wait until the world has achieved international disarmament before such things are allowed to happen?
§ Mr. NuttingSo far as I am aware Her Majesty's Government are not in favour of nudism, whether unilateral or otherwise. Assuming that the hon. and learned Gentleman is referring to the possibility of secret information reaching the pilots, I can tell him that there is no question of any secrets being divulged during the course of flying training.
Air Commodore HarveyWould my hon. Friend inform the hon. and learned Member for Aberdeen, North (Mr. Hector Hughes) that if British civil aircraft are to be sold overseas, even to ex-enemy countries, it is frequently necessary to train pilots and crews to fly them?
§ Mr. NuttingThat is one of the commercial benefits which we hope will accrue from the flying training.