§ THE EARL OF ALBEMARLE rose to call attention to the present condition of the aerodrome situated at Harling in Norfolk, and to ask what the cost of this establishment has been front first to last both as to personnel and maintenance; what is the personnel now employed there; what is the estimated value of the buildings and plant; and whether any useful purpose is served by its continued existence.
21§ The noble Earl said: My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name. The first line is perhaps rather misleading. It is "to call attention to the present condition of the aerodrome situated at Harling in Norfolk." I should like to ask my noble friend to give me that information. I do not propose to supply any myself. If I have been too inquisitive in the public interest I shall quite understand if my noble friend cannot give me a complete answer to all that I have asked, but I should like to know, if it is possible to tell me, what His Majesty's Government intend to do in the future.
§ THE ADDITIONAL PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY OF THE MINISTRY OF MUNITIONS AND SUPPLY (LORD RATHCREEDAN)My Lords, the Air Ministry, by whom this aerodrome was handed over to the Ministry of Munitions, have undertaken to advise with reference to the first portion of the noble Lord's question. In reply to the second point, the personnel at present consists of one caretaker. When a warrant for stores is 22 issued a mobile gang is sent to do the work. As regards the remaining portion of the Question, it is considered inadvisable in the public interest to give the information for which the noble Earl asks. I have, however, most of the information winch he requires, and I would be very happy to place it at his disposal for his private information.