asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in the interest of food production and local amenities, he is now in a position to return the site of Podington aerodrome, Bedford shire, to its original owner, who is anxious, at an early date, to graze a herd on it.

The future of the airfield at Podington has not yet been decided. I am glad to inform my hon. Friend, however, that, pending a final decision, the restrictions on the use of the land for farming have been removed, and the land is already being farmed.

Yes, but will my right hon. Friend look into the background of this case, when he will discover that a virtual agreement was come to between his Department and the owner of what, up to now, has been an aerodrome, to return it immediately after the end of the war?

I am not aware of that agreement; but of course, in such cases the public interest must also be considered when a final decision is made.