University Air Squadrons

HC Deb 06 June 1962 vol 661 c451

22. Mr. Ridsdale

asked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement on the contribution made to the Royal Air Force during the past year by the university air squadrons.

Mr. Amery

In 1961, 62 former members of university air squadrons joined the Royal Air Force, 50 of them as aircrew. It is to the university air squadrons and to Cranwell that we look to provide the majority of officers destined for high command.

Mr. Ridsdale

Would my right hon. Friend say whether or not entrants from the universities are more eonomically trained than those from other sources?

Mr. Amery

Yes, Sir. Indeed, ex-members of university air squadrons, because of their early flying training, are very much cheaper to train, and there is a much smaller wastage among them.