§ 1. Mr. Joynson-Hicksasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Admiralty when the hon. Member for Chichester may expect a reply to any of his letters to his Department, dated, respectively, 1st May, 5th June, 16th June, 8th July and 21st July, all dealing with the question of night-flying training at Ford Aerodrome, Sussex.
§ The Parliamentary and Financial Secretary to the Admiralty (Mr. John Dugdale)As I informed the hon. Member verbally some time ago, I am not yet able to hold out any hope of the cessation of night-flying operations at Ford. While I regret the disturbance which such operations are bound to cause wherever they take place, they are in fact a necessary part of the training of the officers and men connected with naval aviation.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that he was exploring the possibility of transferring these night-flying training operations to some other locality? Can he say what is the result of his explorations?
§ Mr. DugdaleI regret that, as indicated in this reply, my explorations have not so far been successful. Wherever night-flying operations take place, they are bound to cause disturbance. Another complication is that we have not adequate facilities for night-flying operations at other aerodromes which could take the place of those at Ford.
§ Mr. Joynson-HicksIs the Admiralty going to do nothing whatever to ameliorate the conditions of these unfortunate people, who are disturbed night after night, and can get no sleep in that part of the country?
§ Air-Commodore HarveyWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that our Services are suffering from great inconveniences, and will he assure us that their training facilities are not limited by Questions asked in this House, bearing in mind that the week-end should be kept free, but that normal training should take place?