§ Mr. PRINGLEasked the Under-Secretary of State to the Air Ministry whether an aerodrome is being constructed in the Midland counties; when the works were commenced; at what date it is expected to be completed; what has been expended up to date; what is the estimate of the total cost; whether the land has been bought; if so, from whom and on what terms; and, if the freehold has not been bought, what arrangement has been made with the owners?
§ Major BAIRDI am obliged to the hon. Member for communicating to me privately the name of the aerodrome referred to. The work was begun in August, 1917. The adoption of the system of aircraft acceptance parks, subsequent to the initiation of the work, has rendered less necessary its immediate completion, and the work has been temporarily suspended, in view of the greater urgency of other works. The aerodrome will be completed by a private firm, and the State's contribution is limited to a fixed sum. Part of the land already belonged to the firm in question, and the rest was taken over under the Defence of the Realm Act.