§ Mr. RENDALLasked the President of the Board of Trade what is the present position of the property at Yate, Gloucestershire, in their hands for disposal; how many acres of land they still hold; what the value of the wood, brick, and other buildings, including the slab factory, is estimated to be; what is the value of the machinery in these buildings; and what has been sold since the Armistice, and for what sums?
Mr. YOUNGThe slab factory and part of the aerodrome' have been advertised for sale by private treaty, but up to the present no satisfactory offers have been received. The Disposal Board have offered to accept £13,000 for the factory. The remaining aerodrome buildings form the subject of a contract, at present disputed, but which I am advised is binding upon the purchasers. The Government still own about 170 acres. Two acres have been sold to the Sodbury Urban District Council for a housing site and negotiations are in progress for the sale of a further piece for a similar purpose. The value to be placed upon the buildings and machinery depends upon the performance or otherwise of the contract nowsub judice and also upon whether or not it may be possible to sell the remainder of the property in situ. Any estimates given now might therefore prejudice the course of negotiations. The stocks of concrete slabs, together with certain miscellaneous material and certain plant at the factory and aerodrome and the land above referred to, have been sold for approximately £21,000.