§ 31. Mr. D. Priceasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the increasing shortage of civil pilots for British aviation and of the consequential need to provide an ab initio training scheme for civil pilots on a national scale; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WatkinsonI am aware that in future years releases of pilots from the Services are not expected to meet the demands of civil aviation. In consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Education, the Corporations and independent operators, I have been considering what kind of scheme may be necessary to train the pilots required. These discussions are not yet complete, but I hope that we may agree upon a scheme in the near future.