§ 33. Mr. McGHEEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the original purchase price paid for the Filton Aerodrome, together with the cost of clearing, laying down to grass, and the erection of hangars and buildings; the price received when this aerodrome was sold after the War; and the annual rent which the State now pays to the Bristol Aeroplane Company for the same aerodrome, which is now used by an air squadron?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)The Filton Aerodrome was held under the Defence of the Realm Act up to the end of 1918 at rentals amounting to about £425 per annum, and the expenditure incurred on preparing the site and erecting and maintaining buildings is understood to have been £210,000. The site was subsequently acquired by the Disposals Board for £11,500 and disposed of to the Bristol Aeroplane Company for £59,000, which included £47,500 as the value of the buildings. The present annual rent paid to the company is £2,553 17s. 9d.
§ 35. Mr. McGHEEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the purchase price paid for the Leigherton aerodrome and the cost of clearing, laying to grass, and the erection of the necessary buildings?
§ 37. Mr. G. HARDIEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the purchase price for the Rendcombe aerodrome and the cost of clearing, laying to grass and the erection of the necessary buildings?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe position in both cases is that it is not proposed to proceed with the acquisition of the aerodromes in question.
§ Mr. HARDIEWhat expenditure has been incurred to date in both cases?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThese were wartime aerodromes held under the Defence of the Realm Act and given up after the War.
§ Mr. HARDIEI must press for an answer. What amount has been expended, and what is the value now if anyone purchases?
§ Sir P. SASSOONWe have not gone into that, they do not belong to us.
§ Mr. HARDIEWhy is not a full answer given, since in both questions that particular point is mentioned?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI understood the hon. Member wished to know what the expenditure would be now on the aerodromes. We do not propose to acquire them for aerodromes.
§ Mr. HARDIEI must repeat my question—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThere are 79 Questions on the Paper.
§ Mr. HARDIEI know, but I just want this answer.
§ 36. Mr. HARDIEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the purchase price for Leuchars aerodrome and the cost of clearing, laying to grass and the erection of the necessary buildings?
§ Sir P. SASSOONIf, as I presume, the hon. Member has in mind a recent purchase of land for the purpose of extending the Royal Air Force station at Leuchars, the purchase price was £6,900 and the cost of levelling and seeding £5,000. This extension does not involve additional buildings.
§ Mr. HARDIEWhat is the acreage?
§ Sir P. SASSOONPerhaps the hon. Member will put a question down.
§ Mr. HARDIEWhy not save the expense of putting down another question?
§ 38. Mr. HARDIEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the purchase price paid for Minchinhampton aero- 435 drome and the cost of clearing and laying to grass, and the erection of the necessary buildings?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThis information is not available, negotiations for the acquisition of this site not having yet been opened.
§ Mr. HARDIEIs the right hon. Baronet not aware that he is raising the price against the Government itself?