§ Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for War to what extent Army personnel have so far been trained to fly helicopters; and what plans he has for their training in the future in order to ensure that the helicopters can play their full rôle as an Army transport vehicle in suitable circumstances.
§ Mr. HeadNine Army pilots have been trained and eight more are just beginning training. This number together with the Royal Air Force pilots will be more than enough to staff the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit which has been set up to discover the rôless the helicopter can play as a transport vehicle for the Army. Pilots are trained under arrangements made with the Royal Air Force with whom we are working closely at all stages, but until trials have proceeded further it will be too early to take a decision about training a larger number of Army personnel.
§ Major Beamishasked the Secretary of State for War what experiments are taking place to simplify helicopter controls so that these machines can more quickly replace road vehicles for the transport of Army personnel, stores, and equipment; and what success has so far been achieved.
§ Mr. HeadThis kind of problem is being studied by the Joint Experimental Helicopter Unit. The unit was formed on 1st April, and it is too early to report progress.