HC Deb 01 March 1944 vol 397 cc1397-8
5. Dr. Little

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he has appointed a competent person to survey and report on the damage done to farms in County Down in connection with the construction of an aerodrome which has now been abandoned; and to assess the damage and pay the farmers concerned compensation for the loss sustained through injury to their properties.

The Joint Under-Secretary of State for Air (Captain Harold Balfour)

A committee comprising representatives of the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Finance of the Government of Northern Ireland and of the Air Ministry, has been formed for the purpose of advising on all aspects of this case and has started work.

Dr. Little

Have the damages yet been assessed by a competent surveyor; and will my right hon. and gallant Friend see that these farmers get agreed compensation at the earliest possible moment?

Captain Balfour

Early payment, on general account, to all owner-occupiers is being made in appropriate cases. The committee to which I have just referred started work on 21st February. Its task is to decide what areas can be derequisitioned forthwith, what areas may be derequisitioned after restoration to agricultural use, and what land must be purchased.