A Discussion on the Relationships between Government and Aeronautics was held at the Society on 4th November 1965 with the President, Sir George Gardner, KBE, CB, HonDSc, FRAeS, in the Chair. Short introductory papers were given by Mr. Denis W. G. L. Hayiland, General Robert Lecamus and Brigadier General Ake Sunden. Introducing these principal speakers Sir George said how fortunate the Society was to have persuaded three such eminent people to open this Discussion; they were particularly grateful to their French and Swedish colleagues. General Sunden had graduated as an engineer and had been a pilot since 1934. He had served in a number of commands and had been a flying instructor and a test pilot. He was now a member of the Board and Director of Aircraft, Royal Swedish Air Force Board, which included responsibility for aircraft, armament, aero engines, airborne electronics and test flying.

General Lecamus was also an engineer and a pilot; he had served as an engine specialist in various duties, including three years as Head of the Engine Test Section at the French Test Flying Centre at Bretigny. In 1948 he had joined Direction Technique des Industriel Aéronautiques (DTIA) (which later became DTCA—Direction Technique des Constructions Aéronautique) as Deputy Chief of the Development Department and later had served as Chief of Inspection Services in Toulouse for the South West of France. He was now Director of DTCA.

Mr. Haviland had served throughout the 1939-45 War in the Army but he also had learned to fly. After the War he had been Principal, Control Office for Germany and Austria, becoming Assistant Secretary; in 1951 he transferred to the Ministry of Supply becoming Under Secretary, and from 1959-64 was Deputy Secretary, Ministry of Aviation. In 1964 he had joined Industry and was now Chairman and Managing Director of Staveley Industries Ltd.