HC Deb 12 December 1962 vol 669 cc505-6

Question proposed, That the Clause stand part of the Bill.

Mr. C. Hughes

In Clause 4 there is a reference to a footpath which was also referred to by the Under-Secretary in his Second Reading speech. Under the Bill, this footpath is not to be permanently disturbed, but it will be diverted while a drain, which is mentioned in Clause 2, is being built. Can the Under-Secretary give us any indication how long it will take for this drain to be built, because I think the people of the locality who frequently use this footpath, will be asking whether these works are to take a long time. It may be helpful if the hon. Gentleman will indicate how long these operations are to take.

There is another footpath over the sandbank to the south-west of the airfield. This one is not specifically dealt with in the Bill. Can the Under-Secretary state specifically that access will be available along it?

Mr. Ridsdale

In reply to the hon. Gentleman's first question, we hope to proceed as quickly as we possibly can with the work. In any case, we hope to finish our works by August, 1963. So it should be well before then that we should he able to put the footpath right.

The other footpath comes under Clause 5. Perhaps I might deal with the point now and say that the Bill does not deal specifically with the footpath because we have no intention of altering the right of access that has been given and that the commoners have enjoyed along it.

Question put and agreed to.

Clause ordered to stand part of the Bill.

Clause 5 ordered to stand part of the Bill.