HC Deb 19 February 1930 vol 235 c1411W
Mr. HARDIE

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the Air Council have been competing for ground which the Glasgow Corporation were also trying to secure for a municipal aerodrome; and whether he will take steps to prevent such competition?

Mr. MONTAGUE

I cannot admit my hon. Friend's implication that the Air Ministry stepped in and began to compete for a site which the corporation were trying to secure. The position is that the Air Ministry had the Abbotsinch site under consideration as an aerodrome for the Glasgow Auxiliary Air Force Squadron for some time before the corporation decided to provide a municipal aerodrome. It was feared at first that the drainage of the site would present insuperable difficulties, and this led to a temporary abandonment of the proposal, which, however, was resumed as soon as it was found that the difficulties could be overcome. I am afraid that Abbotsinch must be kept for the Auxiliary Air Force, who must have an aerodrome close to Glasgow, but I see no reason why the corporation should not be able to find a suitable alternative site for a civil aerodrome; I trust and believe that they will.