§ Mr. E. HARMSWORTHasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many men are employed at the Mansion aerodrome in the Isle of Thanet; what is the cost of the upkeep of the aerodrome; and what purpose it serves?
§ Major TRYONIn reply to the first part of the hon. Member's question, the personnel at Mansion at the present time is 20 officers, 205 airmen, and 126 civilian employés. This number is abnormal, but it has been necessitated by the large amount of work which has had to be undertaken in storing machines and1548W material. I am not sure what information the hon. Member requires in answer to the second part of his question, but the present cost of upkeep, i.e., maintenance of buildings and operating fixed plant, is at the rate of £12,000 per annum. In regard to the third part, Mansion aerodrome will be one of the seven flying training schools which are to be formed during the next three years to undertake the training of officers granted short service commissions or seconded from the other services.