§ Mr. PETOasked whether land has been purchased in the neighbourhood of Enford, Wilts, for military aviation, and, if so, the extent; and whether it is necessary, and the intention of the War Department, to lay down the land at present under arable cultivation to grass?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for WAR (Colonel Seely)The purchase of land at Enford is in progress, and I am not, therefore, at present in a position to give any details. The matters raised in the second part of the question are under consideration.
§ Mr. ASHLEYWill the land only be used for aviation or for other Army purposes?
§ Colonel SEELYAs I explained the other day, it is primarily for aviation, though it may be put to other uses.
§ Mr. PETOCan the right hon. Gentleman give no idea of the acreage that it is 945 proposed to take? It is common knowledge in the neighbourhood what land it is proposed to take, and I should have thought the House might have the information.
§ Colonel SEELYI gave the figures the other day.
§ Mr. PETOWill the right hon. Gentleman bear in mind when this negotiation is complete and the land is taken over it will necessarily involve a very considerable number of agricultural labourers losing all their employment or chance of employment?
§ Mr. ARTHUR LEEasked the Secretary of State for War whether he can lay upon the Table, of the House the substance of the Report of the Technical Sub-committee on Aviation?
§ Colonel SEELYI shall be glad to lay on the Table a Paper giving the broad outline of the scheme, including all essential features of the new air service.