§ 19. Rear-Admiral Sir Murray Sueterasked the Secretary of State for Air whether any alternative sites to Langstone Harbour and Southampton for development as an Empire airport have been inspected and with what result?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)Yes, Sir. In all, nine suggested alternatives have been examined at various times, but after consideration of the many factors that must be taken into account in arriving at a decision, including cost, operational convenience, time involved in construction and the future of the flying boat in the Empire Air Mail Scheme, it has been decided that, in present circumstances, the marine base should remain at Southampton.