§ Mr. Perkinsasked the Secretary of State for Air (1) how much money has 221W been spent on building and equipping an aerodrome, of which he has been informed; and whether this aerodrome has been in regular use during the last three months;
(2) why it has been necessary to keep a large number of officers and men on an aerodrome, of which he has been informed, for the last six months; and whether, in view of the fact that large sums of public money have been spent on this aerodrome, he will consider making full use of it again?
§ Captain BalfourThe Civil aerodrome in question was utilised for elementary flying training in the early days of the war. £39,000 was spent on the provision of buildings. Now it is being used for testing aircraft by the Ministry of Aircraft Production who have incurred expenditure of £146,000 on the provision of runways and flight sheds. The R.A.F. personnel at present stationed on the aerodrome are necessary for its defence and must be retained so long as the aerodrome remains in use.