§ 36. Mr. Skeffington-Lodgeasked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in the interest of food production and local amenities, he is now in a position to return the site of Podington aerodrome, Bedford shire, to its original owner, who is anxious, at an early date, to graze a herd on it.
§ Mr. P. Noel-BakerThe future of the airfield at Podington has not yet been decided. I am glad to inform my hon. Friend, however, that, pending a final decision, the restrictions on the use of the land for farming have been removed, and the land is already being farmed.
§ Mr. Skeffington-LodgeYes, but will my right hon. Friend look into the background of this case, when he will discover that a virtual agreement was come to between his Department and the owner of what, up to now, has been an aerodrome, to return it immediately after the end of the war?
§ Mr. Noel-BakerI am not aware of that agreement; but of course, in such cases the public interest must also be considered when a final decision is made.