§ 45. Mr. Piratinasked the Prime Minister which Government Department, or other authority, is primarily responsible for the mistake as a result of which the construction of houses and roads in the Yiewsley and West Drayton Urban District area, adjacent to the Heathrow Airport, has had to be stopped and work demolished; and on which authority or Department will the expenditure so far involved fall.
§ The Prime Minister (Mr. Attlee)The Government's decision to extend the London Airport was taken in January, 1946. After considering the effect of the revised layout of the airport upon surrounding development, the Ministry of Civil Aviation found in February that an alteration in the line hitherto accepted for the diversion of the Bath Road would be necessary and proceeded to discuss the new line with the Ministry of Transport. The final line was agreed on 4th October, 1946.
By a mistake, which I regret, the Ministry of Civil Aviation did not inform Departments concerned of the re-alignment until 22nd November; and the actual construction of houses had begun on 1st November. In consequence, a small amount of building work will have to be demolished. Any compensation to be paid will come from Government funds. Some abortive expenditure on this hous- 359 ing scheme was inevitable since the scheme itself was approved in 1944 and site development began in December, 1945.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWould the Prime Minister say whether any action has been taken against the person in the Ministry who made this gross mistake?
§ The Prime MinisterNo, Sir. It is not a matter for disciplinary action. Attention has been called to the matter.
§ Mr. J. H. HareCould the Prime Minister state what the total cost of the mistake amounted to, and how many houses had been started, upon which work had to cease?
§ The Prime MinisterNot without notice.