§ 4. Mr. Glossopasked the Secretary of State for Air if he will make a statement with regard to the peacetime use of a bombing range at Howden, East Yorkshire; whether he is aware that the land in question is good agricultural land; and whether he has consulted the Minister of Agriculture on the matter.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe range at Howden was used for practice bombing from 1942 till 1945. Almost all of it has been farmed with little interruption since 1944. I regret that I cannot now say whether this range will be required in future, but I am, of course, in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, and with my other right hon Friends who are concerned.
§ Mr. GlossopWill the right hon. Gentleman give an assurance that before the final decision is made he will have further consultations with his colleagues?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerYes, Sir, certainly. Perhaps I might add, to remove misapprehensions in the locality, that were 340 this to be retained as a range we should only use small smoke puff bombs which would do no damage and would not substantially interfere with farming.