§ 15. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Air what he estimates will be the cost of training a pilot up to the time he joins a V-bomber operational squadron.
§ Mr. SoamesAbout £55,000.
§ Mr. de FreitasIn view of the enormous cost, cannot the Under-Secretary tell us what review the Secretary of State has made since the Air Estimates debate of the ratio of pilots to aircraft, because is it not a fact that there is a grave danger that we are producing far too many pilots at a very great cost?
§ Mr. SoamesThat is very carefully watched, but the reason for the increase in the last two years—the hon. Gentleman asks specifically about V-bomber pilots—is, of course, that they not only go through their initial training but then have further training with a Canberra operational conversion unit, and after two or three years' service with a Canberra squadron go on to the V-bomber operational conversion unit, which increases the cost very considerably.
§ Mr. de FreitasThat emphasises my point that there should be a greater reassessment of the number of pilots who are required for this aircraft.
§ Mr. SoamesThat is being very carefully looked into.