§ 84. Mr. David Jonesasked the Under-secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that Squadron 5053 R.A.F., which was initially formed as a shock unit to repair aerodromes damaged by enemy action, which is composed of nearly 70 per cent. men skilled in constructional work, is now engaged in repairing damaged buildings in Benghazi, Libya and other places; and whether he will utilise the services of these men and their skill in constructional work in effecting repairs to property in this country.
§ Mr. StracheyThis airfield construction squadron is now working solely on service accommodation that is needed for the Transport Command programme of bringing men and women of all the Services home from the East. I should add that at Marble Arch, construction work was done for reinforcement aircraft on their way to the war in the East, but with the end of the war will no longer be required for that purpose. But we could not foresee this when the work began there.