§ 23. Mr. Tiffanyasked the Secretary of State for Air what personnel are to be catered for by Air Defence Unit at the Westwood Aerodrome, Peterborough; from what area or areas is the personnel to be drawn; and what buildings or huts will be required.
§ Mr. de FreitasThis unit will have a strength of 565 officers, airmen and airwomen. They will be drawn from an area of 30 miles radius around Peterborough. The unit will require the block containing the officers' mess and living quarters, the married quarter and eight huts.
§ Mr. TiffanyIs there no possibility of this air defence unit being taken to a nearby aerodrome, thereby releasing Westwood for local essential purposes?
§ Mr. de FreitasI am afraid not. This R.A.F. station is in the centre of the area from which the recruits are to be drawn, and the airmen and airwomen, who, of course, are civilians, will be able to reach it by public transport because it is there.
§ 24. Mr. Tiffanyasked the Secretary of State for Air on what date was Westwood Aerodrome or parts thereof declared as surplus to the requirements of the Air Ministry and handed to the Ministry of Works for disposal.
§ Mr. de FreitasAt different dates since January, 1947, as the needs of the R.A.F. at the airfield contracted. Except for the huts and buildings that are needed permanently by the R.A.F., all accommodation at the airfield has been surrendered.