§ 43. Sir WILLIAM DAVISONasked the Secretary of State for Air what is the total sum which has been authorised by the Ministry for expenditure on sites and buildings; and what is the total sum which has been authorised for expenditure in the building of aeroplanes and for the assistance of civil aviation?
Captain GUESTI assume that my hon. Friend refers to the sums authorised in the current year's Estimates. On this assumption, the answer to the question is that £1,622,000 is taken in this year's Estimate for capital expenditure on buildings and purchase of lands; of this sum, half is for services overseas and half of the remainder is for purchase of land already in occupation and for improvements to existing accommodation at home. In this connection, I would remind my hon. Friend that, as the Air Force is almost entirely accommodated in temporary huts of War-time erection, these require a considerable amount of attention and repair to maintain them in a habitable condition. The remaining 25 per cent., i.e., about £400,000, is mainly devoted to meet the most urgent requirements for the replacement of accommodation which has become wholly inadequate.
The answer to the second part of the question is that £1,517,600 is taken for the purchase and reconditioning of aeroplanes, seaplanes, engines, and spares, including experimental work; and £335,000 is taken for civil aviation exclusive of meteorology, inspection and research services.
§ Sir M. DOCKRELLIs it proposed to make any part of this expenditure in Ireland, seeing that during the Bill she contributed so largely—
§ Mr. SPEAKERWould the hon. Member put that question down. It does not arise here.
§ Sir M. DOCKRELLOn a point of Order. Does it not arise—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI must be the judge of that. It does not arise on this question.