§ 16. Viscount Hinchingbrookeasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will make a statement on the derequisitioning of the R.A.F. range at Old Harry, Stud-land, Dorset, which has not been used subsequently to VJ-Day.
§ Mr. de FreitasWe shall release this range as soon as the land has been cleared of unexploded ammunition, and the target offshore has been removed.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeWould the Under-Secretary define exactly what he means by ''release"? Is he aware that a public relations officer in his Ministry stated that the land would no longer be used? Will he undertake here and now specifically to state that the process of derequisitioning will be initiated by him?
§ Mr. de FreitasI can state here and now that the public will be able to go there. I should like to consider the full implications of derequisitioning. It will certainly be clear by March.
§ Viscount HinchingbrookeAs my Question deals with derequisitioning, how is it that the Under-Secretary comes to the House of Commons so unprepared to make a reply?
§ Mr. de FreitasI am sorry about that. I should not like to give an answer just at the moment.