§ 70. Major GLYNasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry how many Air Force stations, camps, and aerodromes have been handed over for disposal to the Ministry of Munitions since the Armistice; how many are to be handed over; what steps are being meantime taken to protect the material and property: and how many officers and other ranks are so employed, and at what approximate cost?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Major-General Seely)In reply to the first part of my hon. and gallant Friend's question, there have been surrendered by the Royal Air Force since the Armistice—
(a)Stations consisting of land only (i.e., landing grounds and camping grounds) 124 (b)Stations consisting of land and buildings 122* (c)Stations at which aerodromes have been released, whilst buildings are still required for Royal Air Force purposes 6 *Including ten transferred to other Departments
§ Until the strength of the after-war Air Force is definitely decided I am unable to reply to the second part. In regard to the third part, arrangements are being made whereby civilian caretakers will, pending the sale of buildings, be placed in charge of stations cleared of Royal Air Force material, vacated by Royal Air Force personnel and handed over for disposal. In some cases Royal Air Force personnel remain in charge pending the appointment of civilian caretakers and in a few other cases the local police have been requested to exercise supervision over empty buildings. I am unable to give the information asked for in the last two parts owing to the frequent fluctuations during the process of rapid reduction.
§ Major GLYNMay I ask whether the Ministry of Munitions bear no cost at all of the care of these aerodromes, and whether this cost has been put on the Air Estimates?
§ Major-General SEELYIt is a fact that when the Disposal Board are unable to take over stores the Royal Air Force per- 1678 sonnel has. to be retained to look after them, and that of course adds to the charge on the R.A.F., but the matter is now being finally considered, and I hope we shall avoid any delay in the future.
§ Major GLYNIs it indicated that there is no inducement for the Ministry of Munitions to hasten the sale of these aerodromes because no cost falls on that. Ministry?
§ Major-General SEELYI am quite sure that the Minister of Munitions has done and will do his best, but the fact is as I stated to my hon. and gallant Friend.
§ Mr. BILLINGMay I ask whether handing over to civilian control is not likely to increase the cost of that control while certain personnel of the R.A.F. remains?
§ Major-General SEELYThe question as to which is the more costly is a very elaborate calculation between the R.A.F. and the civilian control, but there is obviously an advantage in handing it over to the civilian personnel in order that the small R.A.F. personnel retained may be engaged in their proper duties.