§ VISCOUNT LONGMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name on the Paper.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether the owners of the land at 790 Steeple Ashton Aerodrome have been informed of the terms submitted by the Air Ministry upon which this particular land may be farmed for agricultural purposes in the future.]
§ THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY TO THE MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FISHERIES (THE EARL OF HUNTINGDON)My Lords, the answer is "No." It is not the normal practice to notify owners of the terms of the arrangements under which airfields are made temporarily available to the war agricultural executive committees for agricultural use.
§ VISCOUNT LONGIn thanking the noble Earl for his reply, I would like to ask this further question: Is he aware that the owners of this land were given a solemn promise that when the war was over this land would be returned to them; and, therefore, is this not another case of a breach of faith with the farmers in that locality?
§ THE EARL OF HUNTINGDONI think the noble Lord's question raises rather wider issues, and it is a question of which I should like further notice.
§ VISCOUNT LONGWould the noble Lord inquire further into the matter if I let him have evidence to that effect?
§ THE EARL OF HUNTINGDONCertainly.