§ 34. Mr. John Hallasked the Secretary of State for Air if gliding is included in the official training curriculum for air crews.
§ Mr. HallIs it not a fact that gliding is a valuable form of training? Does not the Ministry encourage the development and formation of gliding clubs in the Royal Air Force and, if it is a valuable form of training, should not the Ministry increase the financial support it at present gives to these clubs?
§ Mr. FraserI think that it would be wrong to put it in the training curriculum, but we are encouraging the formation of these clubs in the Royal Air 518 Force and by the Air Cadet Gliding Organisation, which has two full-time centres and 26 weekend gliding clubs. We are also giving encouragement to the R.A.F. Gliding and Soaring Association, which now has 14 clubs in this country and six clubs overseas.
§ Mr. FraserThe Air Cadet Gliding Organisation is given considerable financial assistance, which this year I am increasing. The R.A.F. Gliding and Soaring Association is allowed the use of R.A.F. airfields and the services of certain personnel.