§ Mr. Martenasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is now the present basis of grant to the College of Air Training, Hamble; what is the maximum number of students the College can take at any one time; what is the present number of students and what steps are being taken to fill any vacancies; what research or studies in the field of pilot training are being undertaken; and to whom the result of such research is made available.
§ Mr. NobleThe present fixed grant is related to the college's activities which are of direct and continuing concern to the Department. For example, the college is at present undertaking the introduction of an experimental syllabus of technical training for airline pilot cadets at the request of the Department. It is also studying the feasibility of combining two of the Department's flying tests. The results will be made available to the Department in the first instance.
The maximum intake of the college is four courses of 48 students a year and at present there are 197 students in residence. The rate of recruitment is a matter for B.O.A.C. and B.E.A. and depends on their pilot requirements.