§ 24. Mr. Goochasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the number and names of airfields in Norfolk which his Department propose to retain permanently.
§ Mr. de FreitasThe airfields to be retained for the peacetime Air Force have not yet been finally decided, but at present we are planning to keep 22 airfields in Norfolk. I am sending my hon. Friend a list showing the names of the stations.
Mr. GooehDoes the Under-Secretary realise that the retention of so many airfields in my county is restricting food production? Does he not realise that this matter is extremely urgent?
§ Mr. de FreitasI realise it is urgent that they should be released. During the war we had 37 Service airfields in Norfolk, and 15 of these we are now declaring to be surplus. We are, of course, in close touch with the Minister of Agriculture on this matter.
§ Mr. StephenWill the Under-Secretary publish the names in HANSARD?
§ Mr. de FreitasI deliberately did not do that because I felt it was a local matter and not a matter of general interest. If the names are required, they will certainly be published in HANSARD.
§ Mr. KeelingWill the Under-Secretary give an assurance that the defence of this country will have priority over the interests of Norfolk?
§ Mr. de Freitas indicated assent.
§ Mr. OsborneIs the same thing being carried out in the county of Lincolnshire?
§ Mr. HareIs the Under-Secretary prepared to issue a general statement, in a reasonable period of time, stating which aerodromes in the country the Royal Air Force intend to retain, as this is a question of great importance to many counties.
§ Mr. de FreitasI will look into that and see what can be done.