§ 3. Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade why the College of Air Training at Hamble has reduced its pilot intake; and how this will affect its continued existence.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe intake has been reduced for the time being because of a cut-back in the number of pilots required by the Corporations. The continued existence of the college is not affected.
§ 4. Mr. Rankinasked the President of the Board of Trade why he gave the Oxford Air Training School a contract to train 500 pilots over a period of five years.
§ Mr. William RodgersThe Board of Trade has placed no such contract.
§ Mr. RankinIs my hon. Friend aware that I am very relieved to hear that statement, but is it not peculiar that such a statement should be made at a time when intake is being reduced? Can I be assured that the College of Air Training at Hamble will still be the chosen instrument for training pilots for the Corporations?
§ Mr. RodgersAs I think that my hon. Friend knows, this is really a matter for the Corporations. They have placed contracts both in Oxford and in Perth, because it was necessary to ensure that their maximum needs were met. For the moment the demand is not as high as was previously expected.
§ Mr. MonroCan the hon. Gentleman say a little more about the Air Training Schools, particularly Perth and Carlisle? Can he make some confident statement that there is a future for these schools?
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. The Question is about Oxford.