§ Mr. Robert Howarthasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the Government's policy on financial aid for the training of civil airline pilots.
§ Mr. MasonAt present the Board of Trade contributes to the cost of theab initio training of suitable students for commercial pilots' licences both by payments to the College of Air Training at Hamble and by bearing part of the cost of such training at other approved schools.
The latter arrangements were foreshadowed in the White Paper on Aviation Safety (Comnd. 1965 of May, 1962) and were intended to apply for a limited period while improved standards and facilities were being introduced. They have now been in operation for five years, and after careful review I am satisfied that their original purpose has been served. I have therefore decided to bring them to an end on 1st April, 1970, but commitments already undertaken for 228W training which extends beyond that date will be honoured.
The more long-standing support to the College of Air Training was intended to secure wider aims, and I propose to continue to provide financial assistance but at a reduced level which will stabilise at £100,000 per annum.