asked the First Lord of the Admiralty how many officers in the Navy or Marines are able to pilot flying machines; and how many are learning at the present time?

The FIRST LORD of the ADMIRALTY (Sir Bolton Eyres Monsell):

The number of officers of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines who are attached to the Royal Air Force for service with the Fleet Air Arm and who are fully qualified aircraft pilots is 139; 25 officers are still under training as pilots. There are also 53 officers on the Active List who have undergone Royal Air Force training as aircraft pilots and are now permanently employed in general service. I am unable to give the numbers of officers who have learnt to fly privately, but there is a considerable number.

Is this service made attractive in any way? Is there any possibility of the numbers increasing?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL:

We may want to increase in the future, but we have enough at the moment.

Is there any additional pay attached to it?

Sir B. EYRES MONSELL:

Yes.