§ Mr. Manderasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will state the results up-to-date of the appeal for membership in the new Civil Air Guard?
Captain BalfourMy right hon. Friend's appeal for the Civil Air Guard met with a very gratifying response: 33,886 applications were received by the light aeroplane clubs operating the flying sections up to 15th October. Since that date it has been found necessary to divert applications from the clubs to the Commissioners of the Civil Air Guard, and a further 1,100 applications have been received and recorded by the Commissioners.
Statistics indicate that probably about half the total number of applicants will finally be accepted as suitable for flying training. At the present time some 4,000 members have been enrolled for immediate flying, and the Commissioners, in co-operation with my Department, are preparing schemes for ground training for those awaiting flying tuition.
Fifty-seven out of 59 subsidised light aeroplane clubs are participating in the scheme while four new clubs have been approved, and consideration is also being given to applications from five other clubs.