Hansard

**PNK** · 01-09-2008, 17:29

Has anyone made use of the Hansard online when researching airfields?

I was searching for an aerial to improve my Freeview reception when I stumbled across this entry (yes I know!):

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/w...CV0632P0-05176

It implies that Methwold airfield was still open as a reserve airfield in 1960 when I thought it had closed in 1958.

That example aside is this a useful source for cross referencing or is too much of it telling us what we want to hear?

Peter

**OneEighthBit** · 07-02-2009, 16:17

As experience has told me, sometimes you have to look in the least obvious of places to find the most interesting information about WWII airfields.

http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/
"This site is generated from information from Hansard, the Official Report of debates in Parliament. Information presented here is generated from the publicly available XML files. Material on this site remains under Parliamentary Copyright. Within these copyright constraints, you are encouraged to use and to explore the information provided."

A good general search:
http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/sear ... cade=1940s

Some example finds:
German Prisoners Attempted Escape
Access to Aerodromes (Kid's stealing parts)
Money paid for land acquisition for Abbotsinch? aerodrome, money wasted and complaints.
Defence of RAF Aerodromes
Disposal of airfields (Northern Ireland)
Airfields open to private flying
Damage and stolen fittings from RAF Silverstone
Installation of FIDO at London aiport
Seco huts at RAF Bibury

**PNK** · 07-02-2009, 17:52

I agree, there are a lot of interesting entries. I posted about Hansard Online a while back when I found an entry about Great Massingham. I suspect a lot of the answers given to questions are true in the politcal sense but may require verification. Some of it, however, is very useful if you suffer from insomnia (though not the airfield related enties though).

**OneEighthBit** · 07-02-2009, 22:35

Oops, sorry about that. Didn't spot your original post.

Yes, it can be some dry reading but I find it useful for getting into the mindset regarding certain issues.