§ 28. Mr. Bossomasked the Secretary of State for Air whether it has been decided to construct a new main London airport; is he satisfied that sufficient fast rail transport will be available to the selected point; and were the railway companies consulted before the site was selected.
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, Sir. As my hon. Friend the Member for Chislehurst (Sir W. Smithers) was informed on 22nd March last the civil airports for the London area after the war will in all probability be chosen from the airfields which are being used or developed in war-time for war purposes and are capable of extension or adaptation for post-war civil needs. Fast rail access will be one of the considerations taken into account when the suitability of particular sites is under consideration.
§ Mr. BossomHas my right hon. Friend indicated that there is not going to be a new airport at Staines?
§ Sir A. SinclairNo, Sir. The airfield being constructed there is being constructed for military purposes and is urgently required.
§ Mr. BowlesMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he does not think that the construction of the airport may not be completed before the war is over?
§ Sir A. SinclairI think we are almost certain to bring that airport into use before the end of this war.
§ Mr. BossomCan the Secretary of State for Air say whether the railways were consulted, and is there to be fast railway access to the airfield?
§ Sir A. SinclairI am only concerned with the military aspect, but, as I have said, a fast railway access will certainly be one of the considerations to be taken into account if the suitability of it for civil aviation is under consideration.