§ 65. Mr. Perkinsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air the total amount of money paid to the owners of Gatwick airport since its inception as a result of the agreement between the Air Ministry and Airports, Limited; and whether any deductions have been made in respect of the times when Gatwick aerodrome was unserviceable last winter?
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Air (Lieut.-Colonel Muirhead)The amount paid up to the 25th March, 1937, was £631 12s. 6d. The answer to the last part of the question is in the negative.
§ Mr. PerkinsSeeing that this subsidy was promised to this company on the express condition that this aerodrome was serviceable for 12 months in the year, and in view of the fact that it was not serviceable for three months last year, does the Minister not think that the subsidy should be reduced?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe conditions last winter were generally agreed to have been quite abnormal as regards wet weather. The abnormality was not considered to be any justification for any reduction of the subsidy.
§ Mr. PerkinsIs the Under-Secretary aware that British Airways abandoned the aerodrome last winter and have not yet gone back?
§ 67. Mr. Perkinsasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether any regular air-line operators now use Gatwick airport; whether it is proposed to continue the subsidy to the owners of the airport; and, if so, for how long?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. As regards the second and third parts, annual payments are to be made by the Department for 15 years under an agreement made in consideration of facilities provided and maintained in order that Gatwick may be available, when necessary, as a relief landing ground to Croydon. This agreement had no connection with the use or non-use of Gatwick as a terminal airport by any regular air-line operator.
§ Mr. PerkinsAm I to understand that it is the policy of the Government to subsidise airports which are practically derelict?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadIt is not exactly a subsidy. It is payment for facilities provided.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsDoes the Minister's answer imply that the 15 years' agreement will continue, although this airport has gone derelict?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI do not say that it has gone derelict. Owing to the quite abnormal conditions last winter, it was not able to be used for some time.
§ Mr. LyonsCan the Under-Secretary say why it is that British Airways have abandoned this airport altogether?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MuirheadI have explained twice already that there were abnormal conditions in regard to wet weather last winter.