§ 17. Mr. GRANVILLE GIBSONasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Air Ministry have decided to purchase at Church Fenton, Yorkshire, for the purpose of a flying school and aerodrome, land on which valuable crops are growing; and why the Ministry cannot make use of land only two miles away which was used as an aerodrome from 1914 to 1919, and on which no crops are growing?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERThe Church Fenton site is at once much cheaper and more suitable for present requirements than the land at Sherburn-in-Elmet, previously in use as an aerodrome. The latter site was considered 343 first, but was found open to serious objections owing to buildings near the boundary. Had it been selected, the purchase would have had to include some 150 acres under crops.
§ Mr. GIBSONIs any provision being made for farmers who are being dispossessed of land of which their families have been in possession for generations?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI am not sure what my hon. Friend means by "provision," and whether he means compensation or alternative land. All that one can do when buying a site is to pay the purchase price and compensation. I shall be very glad, if my hon. Friend will communicate with my Department, to give him all the information available on this subject.
§ Mr. GIBSONIs it proposed to grant compensation?
§ Sir P. CUNLIFFE-LISTERI would like notice of that question.