Yes, sorry -
I was just following an argument!
So, ahem, I think something sensible ought to be done - figure out the cost of helping these guys enter civvy life as pilots, then decide to do the decent thing for at least those in the latter stages of training. Ifr absolutely necessary HMG could always call it a student loan, and seek to have it repaid as and when they became civvy airline pilots. Comitment works both ways, after all...
Dave