§ 20. Major Bruceasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is now in a position to publish the Report of the Pakenham Committee established for the purpose of selecting a site for an Empire flying boat base; and whether he will give any indication as to the future of Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth, in this connection.
Mr. LindǵrenThe Report is under examination in consultation with the various Government Departments concerned, and no decision has yet been taken on it by the Government. My noble Friend has every hope that it will be possible for a decision to be taken by the Government in the early future. Until then, it is not possible to make a statement on the future of Langstone Harbour, or any other possible site for a marine base.
§ Major BruceWill my hon. Friend bear in mind that my city has been waiting in suspense on this Question for the last eight years? Will he also bear in mind that the establishment of an Empire flying boat base at Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth, would not prejudice the safety of the Royal Dockyard to any greater extent than the Heath Row airport is likely to prejudice the safety of the capital of the Empire?