asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he is aware that the activities of the civil flying clubs started before the war have now come to an end, and that these premises, aerodromes and machines are, in most cases, lying idle and deteriorating through disuse; that the civil air guard organisation initiated by his Department two years ago has been allowed to disintegrate; and whether he will consider making use of this wasted potential for the increase of gliding, soaring and small-powered glider-flying activities on the lines followed by Germany after 1920?

I am aware of the cessation of the activities of civil flying clubs and of the civil air guard organisation, to which my Noble Friend refers, but this is an inevitable sequel to the limitations imposed by defence considerations upon civil flying during war. Most of the aircraft owned by the clubs have already been requisitioned for the Royal Air Force or have been earmarked for requisitioning. With regard to the last part of the Question, it is not practicable to include gliding in the syllabus of training for pilots for the Royal Air Force, but the possibility of including it in the facilities for organised recreation is under consideration.

Is there not a great deal of difference between requisitioning and earmarking; is it not the case that a large number of these privately-owned machines are still lying rusting in their hangars; and cannot some use be made of these machines as well as of the large number of pilots who would like to have the opportunity of flying?

That is not my information, but I will look into my Noble Friend's point.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether, in view of the fact that civil aviation is now much restricted and centralised in the hands of one combine, he will, in the interests of economy and efficiency, consider the abolition of the Department of Civil Aviation so that the corporations concerned in the combine may pursue their activities unhampered by restrictions except those imposed by military or naval exigencies; and whether, in order to secure speedy and complete co-operation between the military and civil authorities, he will appoint Royal Air Force and Fleet Air Arm liaison officers to sit on the boards of the corporations concerned?

No, Sir. It would not be practicable to adopt my Noble Friend's suggestion. The Department of Civil Aviation has many important responsibilities, including the administration of statutory orders and regulations under the Air Navigation Acts governing the flight of all civil aircraft to, over and from this country, and of United Kingdom aircraft wherever they may be. The Department is also charged with the administration of the British Overseas Airways Act, 1939, and the various conventions and agreements to which this country is a party relating to international air navigation. I should add that the staff has already been reduced in proportion to the diminution of work falling on the Civil Aviation Department since the outbreak of war.

Is it intended to keep on this Department in spite of the fact, from what my right hon. Friend has said, that it appears to be somewhat redundant? Would it be possible to give it a constructive role instead of the role it has had up to now, which is mainly destructive?

I would always wish that every part of the Air Ministry's organisation should be constructive and not destructive.

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he will inquire into the rotary elevated city airport scheme, particulars of which have been sent to him?

The scheme referred to has been examined in its several technical aspects but I regret that it was not considered to be practicable.