HC Deb 14 November 1945 vol 415 cc2091-2
5. Squadron-Leader Sir Gifford Fox

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether it has yet been decided to retain R.A.F., Benson, as a permanent aerodrome; and whether a final decision will be taken as to whether the size of the runways are to be increased to enable the local authority to proceed with road plans for the permanent diversion of the main Henley to Oxford road.

Mr. Strachey

We shall probably have to retain Benson as a permanent Royal Air Force Station; the future development of the runways is under examina- tion. We are doing our best to speed up the final decision.

Sir G. Fox

Is the hon. Gentleman able to give any idea of what is likely to be the time before a decision can be taken, because this diversion between Oxford and Henley means that it takes a motorist five minutes longer?

Mr. Strachey

That does not seem to be a very terrible consideration. We cannot give final decisions until the postwar position of the Air Force has been finally determined, but I think it highly probable that Benson will be retained.