§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Air (1) to what extent periods of training in air gunnery lead to dead ends owing to sufficiency of such gunners; and whether he will investigate complaints that ex-pilots often have to undergo months of general duties before starting on another course?
(2) To what extent the facilities for training observers on advanced courses are adequate; and in what percentage of cases indefinite leave has to be given owing to inability to absorb such men?
Captain BalfourAdvanced training facilities for all categories of aircrews are planned so that the flow keeps pace with requirements. Temporary surpluses in particular categories are, however, unavoidable at times. In the case of air gunners the flow is at the moment greater than required. Ex-pilots remustered as observers or wireless-operator/air gunners are normally required to wait only a short time before training; I shall, of course, be glad to investigate any cases of delay which my hon. and gallant Friend may bring to my notice. The requirement for advanced training of observers is related to that of aircrew training as a whole and is, therefore, subject to fluctuation, but 1099W facilities for this work are expanding as the expansion of the rest of the training organisation proceeds. An average of eight days' leave has been granted in recent months to observers before proceeding to advanced training and no indefinite leave has been given.
§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Secretary of State for Air whether pilots with many months of training who fail in a navigation examination are allowed to retake this subject?