asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air how many public highways have been closed for the construction of airfields in the areas of the district councils of Abingdon, Faringdon, Wantage, Wallingford and Bradfield, in the county of Berkshire; and when it is proposed to re-open these roads and restore to the public their rights.

Twenty-seven public highways have been closed during the war in these parts of Berkshire on account of the construction of airfields. An alternative for one has already been provided, and 12 are now being reopened. I regret that the remainder must remain closed while the airfields concerned are required for flying. We are aware of the inconvenience caused by the closure of roads in many parts of the country, and special attention is being paid to this problem by my Department in conjunction with the Ministry of War Transport.