asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether cuts in the capital investment programme, necessitating delay in airfield construction schemes, make any distinction as regards schemes within development areas, similar to the factory-building priorities which have been retained by the Government.

No, Sir.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware his decision means that in the North-East development area we shall not have any direct air route with the continent, especially with Scandinavia and Belgium, where Tyneside did most of the prewar trade, for at least three and, possibly, four or five years.

Yes, Sir. It is a matter of priority. Which shall be first, Jarrow tunnel and houses, or the development of the airfield?