HC Deb 14 June 1939 vol 348 cc1284-5
27. Mr. Day

asked the Secretary of State for Air whether he can make any further statement as to the provision of an additional land airport to serve the future air traffic of the Metropolis?

Captain Balfour

I have nothing to add to the statement of policy with regard to the provision of airports for London which I made in the House on 9th March last. The hon. Member will have seen a recent report in the Press to the effect that the Court of Common Council of the City of London has voted an additional sum of £500,000 to develop the airport at Fairlop as a super-standard aerodrome. This decision is coupled with an arrangement under which a London Airports Advisory Committee, representative of owners of London airports, will be set up and asked to devise a formula for the allocation of the pooled receipts from traffic using these airports.

Mr. Day

Will that committee also be asked to make a decision as to a central airport for London?

Captain Balfour

The decision has been arrived at that London air transport needs will best be served, not by one central airport, but by a ring of first-class airports round London.