§ 48. Mr. Garro Jonesasked the Prime Minister whether he is aware that a conflict has arisen between the Admiralty and the Civil Aviation Department of the Air Ministry; and that these two Departments, in their communications with Portsmouth City Council, are publicly at cross purposes in regard to the use and availability of Langstone Harbour as a civil air base; and whether he will take steps to ensure that this conflict will not be settled by the strong pressure being brought by the Admiralty upon Portsmouth Council, but by considerations of the public interest?
§ The Prime MinisterThere is no conflict between the Admiralty and Air Ministry in this matter. The purpose of the communication recently sent to the Portsmouth City Council by the Admiralty, to which I presume the hon. Member is referring, was in the nature of a warning lest that body should incur liabilities through a scheme which conflicts with essential Naval Services. Since the negotiations for an air base at Langstone Harbour fell through a year ago, the Empire flying boat base has been established at Southampton, and the Southampton Harbour Board have applied for leave to bring in a late Bill this Session for its further development.
§ Mr. Garro JonesIf the Civil Aviation Department of the Air Ministry desire to use this harbour and the Admiralty warn the Portsmouth City Council against the use of it, what is that but a conflict between the two Departments?
§ The Prime MinisterI understand the Air Ministry do not desire to use it.
§ Mr. BeaumontIs my right hon. Friend aware that the Portsmouth City Council has not been told of any objection on the part of the Admiralty at any time during the last two years while these negotiations have been going on, and does he not consider it extremely unfair that the Admiralty should suddenly put forward these objections at so late a stage?
§ The Prime MinisterI am not aware of all that.