HC Deb 07 April 1937 vol 322 c174
14. Mr. Roland Robinson

asked the Under-Secretary of State for Air, what financial assistance it is proposed to give to municipalities and other owners of airports?

The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Sir Philip Sassoon)

The Maybury Committee, whose recommendations the Government have accepted in principle, reported definitely against the direct grant of a State subsidy to civil aerodromes. Government assistance for civil aviation should take the form, they considered, of the provision of radio facilities and an air traffic control organisation. Financial assistance for municipal or other airport owners is, therefore, not in contemplation.

Mr. Robinson

Is my right hon. Friend aware that practically every municipal-owned airport in this country is operating at a heavy loss, and that these commitments were entered into as the result of the direct encouragement from the Government; and does he not think that it is time that some real measure of assistance was given to them?

Sir P. Sassoon

I have given the answer.

Mr. Robinson

In view of the very unsatisfactory reply of the Under-Secretary of State, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.