HC Deb 10 December 1947 vol 445 c986
14. Brigadier Rayner

asked the Secretary of State for Air when the airfield at Bolt Head, South Devon, will he made available for agricultural use.

Mr. A. Henderson

This airfield was derequisitioned 18 months ago, since when the County Agricultural Executive Committee have been restoring the land for farming. Complete restoration is, however, proving more difficult than was expected, and I am therefore, consulting my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture on what further work should be put in hand.

Brigadier Rayner

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the case of this rich agricultural land, 300 acres in extent, has been like a shuttlecock flying between his Ministry, the Ministry of Works and the Ministry of Agriculture for the last 18 months; that buildings are still on the aerodrome; that the ditches are still open; and, particularly, that some wire mesh tracking, which was premised to local owner-occupiers to replace their fences, has been disposed of elsewhere; and does he realise that if this sort of thing goes on everywhere the country will starve?

Mr. Henderson

I am not aware that it is going on everywhere. As regards this particular area being a shuttlecock between various Departments, I hope that as a result of my consultations that situation will end.