SHORTAGE OF HOUSES
SIR,—The present shortage of houses prompts me to the suggestion, possibly not novel, that many of the buildings on vacated aerodromes (of which the number must be on the increase), could with imagination and enthusiasm be adapted for temporary civilian use. Water, drainage and electricity are laid on at most, if not all aerodromes. I go further, and suggest that the officers' and sergeants' messes could be easily con- verted into workshops or small factories. The airman's dining-hall would become a canteen, and the boilers in these buildings (the " communal site," in R.A.F. jargon) would provide heating and hot water. The huts on the dispersed living sites, whether wooden or the metal Nissen type, could be made habitable not only for single young people, but for married couples.
Many aerodromes are situated in delightful country spots (many arc not!), and such a scheme, born of the present necessity, might be the forerunner of a move of certain industries from the towns to the country-. side. The Air Ministry, according to the contractual terms on which is occupies the thousands of acres of aerodrome land in this country, could offer the buildings to manufacturers on a short rental basis. At present, many such buildings are, I am informed, actually being dismantled. There, Sir, is the germ of an idea for use as a stopgap, which I hope may catch the eye of those in authority who would be concerned in promoting such
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