HC Deb 12 July 1950 vol 477 cc1336-7
22. Mr. Deedes

asked the Secretary of State for Air how many persons are in receipt of payments in respect of land held on requisition by his Department.

Mr. A. Henderson

The exact figure could not be obtained without considerable research, but a fair estimate is 3,000.

23. Mr. Deedes

asked the Secretary of State for Air what is the acreage of land held on requisition by his Department.

Mr. A. Henderson

Fifty-seven thousand three hundred acres.

Mr. Deedes

Can the Secretary of State say what reduction that represents over the last 12 months?

Mr. Henderson

Yes, 32 per cent.

Mr. Profumo

Will the right hon. and learned Gentleman institute an inquiry to see whether there is some of this land which is not necessary to the Service? If he could cut down the rental which has to be paid for some of that land, the money saved could then be allocated to provide better quarters.

Mr. Henderson

I should like to consider that, but I should prefer the hon. Member to give me particulars of any land which he thinks is being used unnecessarily by the R.A.F.

27. Brigadier Medlicott

asked the Secretary of State for Air the total acreage of land now occupied by his Department in Great Britain.

Mr. A. Henderson

About 191,000 acres.

Brigadier Medlicott

Can the Secretary of State say, even if only very approximately, what proportion of this total is represented by air stations and airfields not in active use?

Mr. Henderson

Not without notice.