§ 86. Major Bruceasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is now in a position to make a statement in regard to the future of Langstone Harbour, Portsmouth, as a marine airport.
§ Mr. LindgrenThe Government have now examined the implications of recommendations made by the Pakenham Committee. That committee, having reviewed from a civil aviation standpoint all the proposals received, recommended Langstone Harbour and Cliffe as possible sites for a major flying boat base, their first preference being for the former. The Government have necessarily taken cog- 205W nizance of all relevant circumstances and has concluded that the balance of national advantage lies against further consideration being given to Langstone Harbour. In reaching this conclusion, the Government have been obliged to have regard not only to the civil aviation point of view and to all local implications, but also to the over-riding difficulties that would arise from the proximity of Langstone Harbour to Portsmouth as a main naval base. In the light of this conclusion my noble Friend has directed that detailed examination shall proceed of the Cliffe site from an operational and engineering standpoint so as to determine the physical and financial implications of its possible development.