HC Deb 29 July 1963 vol 682 c22
26. Sir R. Thompson

asked the Minister of Aviation by what date he expects to complete the disposal of land held by him at Croydon Airport.

Mr. Marten

The Ministry of Aviation expects to hold a public auction of industrial land in October or November next. I hope that it will be possible to dispose of the residential area early next year. I cannot at present give a date for the recreational area.

Sir R. Thompson

Will my hon. Friend try to inject a much greater sense of urgency into this? It is nearly four years since all flying stopped at Croydon Airport and at that time the hope was that we should have the use of the land for more productive purposes. Today we have neither flying nor any use made of the land, and I think that this tortoise-like procedure has gone on long enough.

Mr. Marten

We wish that it would hurry up. Unfortunately, it is not within the power of the Ministry to have completely unfettered freedom to dispose of this land because local authorities and other Government Departments are also concerned in its disposal, and that is what is holding it up.