HC Deb 07 April 1975 vol 889 c353W
Mr. David Price

asked the Secretary of State for Defence whether, in view of the forthcoming reduction in the capability of the RAF to train pilots outlined in his recent Statement on the Defence Estimates 1975 (Command Paper No. 5976), he will give support to the College of Air Training, Hamble, Hampshire, as a reserve training capability available to the RAF in case of emergency.

Mr. Judd

No. Our plans provide for an adequate training capability, with potential for expansion, in the Service. We do not rule out, however, the use of civilian flying schools for specific training tasks should their facilities be particularly suitable. A one-year contract has recently been let to the College of Air Training for the refresher training of pilots of multi-engined aircraft.