§ Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can give the number of airship stations built for military purposes during the War; the capital cost involved; the amount realised by the sale of those disposed of; and the estimated cost of replacement?
§ Sir S. HOAREIn answer to the first two parts of the question, the number of airship stations built during the War, including contractors' constructional stations erected at Government expense, was 25, and the capital cost of these and of certain mooring-out stations, the expenditure upon which cannot be distinguished but was not large, was about £7,250,000. As regards the third part of the question, I am informed by the Disposal and Liquidation Commission, from whom alone the information would be obtainable, that to ascertain the amount realised by the sale of the stations would involve an extended2292W scrutiny of records of sales and that it is not feasible to undertake such an examination with the present depleted clerical staff. As regards the last part. of the question, as I announced in my speech introducing the Air Estimates, the airship question is now being considered by the Committee of Imperial Defence, and until Government policy in this matter has been decided I cannot say whether any, and, if so, which, of the stations would require to be reopened.
§ Mr. HANNONasked the Secretary of State for Air the cost of erecting the airship station at Howden, with gas plant, waterworks, sewage, electric light, and power plant; whether this station has been sold as scrap; if so, the amount realised; the amount paid for the freehold land; and the amount realised from the sale of the land?
§ Major BOYD - CARPENTERI have been asked to answer this question. With regard to the first part of the question, the total expenditure was-approximately, £780,000. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. With regard to the fourth part of the question, £43,900 was paid for the freehold of the land. So far as the remaining parts of the question are concerned, the sum of £58,300 was realised by the sale of the whole property, including the land, buildings, and some plant, machinery, and spares. It is, therefore, not possible to give separate figures for the land. I may add that the property was extensively advertised before sale—31 notices, in all, being inserted in the Press—and that before the inclusive sale was approved, careful consideration was given to the alternative of dismantling the station and selling the properties in separate lots.