THE CHAIRMAN OF COMMITTEES (LORD MERTHYR)My Lords, with the permission of the House, I wish to make a statement under Standing Order 91. This Bill provides for the construction by the Corporation of a civil aerodrome at Roborough Down and, for that purpose, for the compulsory acquisition of 274 acres of land in the county of Devon, with the consequent extinguishment of certain rights of common. The 500 land is the site of a war-time aerodrome now disused, and forms part of Dartmoor National Park. There are two Petitions against the Bill: one by the Devon County Council, the other on behalf of eight councils, associations, and individuals dealing with the preservation of the amenities of the area. Therefore the Bill, being an opposed Bill, will, if it is given a Second Reading, be referred to a Select Committee.
Since I put down the Motion for the Second Reading I have been informed that at least one noble Lord wishes to move the rejection of the Bill or to oppose the Motion for a Second Reading. This being so, I have followed the usual practice. I have arranged with the Promoters for another Member of the House to move the Second Reading, and for the necessary time for a debate to take place at a later date. I do not, therefore, move to-day the Motion for Second Reading which stands on the Order Paper. It is hoped that it may be possible to take the Second Reading on Tuesday, February 14, at the conclusion of the Public Business on that day.