§ Mr. ROYCEasked the Under Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Freiston Aerodrome, Lincolnshire, occupies 90 acres of the most highly 1308W productive agricultural land in the country; that seven tenants of this land are dispossessed of their respective holdings to their great financial loss; that the buildings, hangars, and other erections at the aerodrome have been greatly damaged by recent gales, and now lie in ruins; that, though there has been no recent flying from this station, considerable expenses are still incurred; that heavy lorries are continually coming and going, doing serious damage to the roads; and whether it is in the national interest that this station be closed and the land handed back to the former tenants?
§ Major TRYONThe reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question is that the Frieston Aerodrome occupies approximately 90 acres of productive agricultural land, though I am not in a position to compare it with other land in the country as regards productivity; to the second part, that the tenants referred to are receiving compensation on a basis agreed with them in 1916; to the third part, that the recent gales caused damage to the Bessonneaux hangars only and not as stated by him; and to the fourth part that expenses have been incurred owing to the change over from a war to a peace basis, and a small staff has necessarily been employed there in connection with this work. The heavy traffic referred to in the fifth part has been caused by the change over and the consequent removal of stores, etc. Any damage to the roads resulting therefrom will be dealt with by the Joint Roads Board. The reply to the last part of the question is in the negative, as this is one of the aerodromes selected as a permanent station for the Royal Air Force on account of the exceptional facilities it provides for certain branches of training, facilities which I am advised it is difficult to obtain elsewhere in the British Isles.