§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD CARRINGTONMy Lords, on behalf of my noble friend, Lord Aberdeen, I beg to ask the Question which stands in his name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether they are aware of motor race meetings having taken place at Crimond (Aberdeenshire) Airfield on Sundays, May 20 and June 17, and that another race meeting is being planned for Sunday, August 19; whether they are aware that this has caused great indignation locally through the disturbance of public worship by the influx of between 20,000 and 30,000 people to witness the racing; will His Majesty's Government say by whom this use of the aerodrome was authorised; what charges have been made for its use and who receives the money; and is it their opinion that localities which have sacrificed valuable agricultural land for use as aerodromes in war time should be victimised in this manner in consequence when war is over.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF WORKS (LORD MORRISON)My Lords, permission to use this airfield for three or four one-day rallies between May and September this year was granted to the Aberdeen and District Motor Club by the Department of Agriculture for Scotland, who are responsible for the management of the land. The permission was conditional on the agreement of the agricultural tenant being obtained by the club, and no charge was made by the Department. At the time when permission was granted, the Department were not aware that Sunday 1210 meetings were contemplated or that the rallies would attract such a large attendance. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland has received representations from the Presbytery of Deer, and from the Aberdeen County Council, against the holding of these meetings on Sundays, and he is informing the club that any further meetings should be held on weekdays.