§ Mr. Knox Cunninghamasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what are the conditions of compensation for the closing, for general use, of road A26 through Aldergrove airfield; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerAs my hon. Friend is aware, the section of the road referred to has been stopped up under emergency powers, and the question of my making an order under Part III of the Requisitioned Land and War Works Act, 1945, as extended to Northern Ireland by the Northern Ireland Act, 1947, stopping it up permanently and requiring the provision of a substitute road is under discussion. If I decide to propose such an order, notice of my proposals will be given and any objections which are made and not withdrawn will be referred to the War Works Commission, who may order a public inquiry before making their recommendation to me.
The Act of 1945 makes no provision for compensation for the closure of a road, but an order under Part III may provide for the payment out of moneys provided by Parliament of all or part of the cost of a substitute road. If an order is made in this case providing for a substitute road, the cost of a substitute, including compensation for the acquisition of land, will be met by the Air Ministry. The road authority will bear the cost only in so far as the substitute may be an improvement over the existing road.