§ Mr. HUGH MORRISONasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will cause inquiries to be made into the system of training officers and non-commissioned officers as air pilots at the flying school, Netheravon; if such inquiries will state the number of times each individual student officer and non-commissioned officer of the present classes under instructions has been taken up in the Bristol fighters; whether the system in vogue enables the non-commissioned 1825W officer student to obtain the same amount of training in the air as that given to the officer; and, if not, whether steps will be taken to ensure. such training for the non-commissioned officer, that there shall be no danger of failure at examination through an alleged lack of facilities?
§ Sir S. HOARE:I am obliged to my hon. Friend for drawing my attention to this matter. It had lately appeared that the arrangements for the instruction of airmen at Netheravon were not satisfactory in respect of the amount of actual flying training which was being received. Orders were accordingly issued which will remove any deficiencies in that respect. I am to add that in the new class of officer and airman pilots which began on 15th December last, the airmen up to date have averaged 7.40 hours' flying and the officers 6.40 hours.