§ 29. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aircraft Production, as representing the Minister of Civil Aviation, whether the Government have now reconsidered the possibility of establishing an air line in Scotland to operate a domestic, transcontinental and transoceanic service.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydAs is clear from the Whte Paper Command 6605, which was debated in this House on 20th March, it is not proposed at this stage, to create a separate organisation specially for operating services in and from Scotland. On the other hand the tentative schedule of routes now being worked out for Scotland provides for a comprehensive network of services connecting the main centres of population and the outlying areas such as the Western and Northern Isles.
§ Sir T. MooreDoes my hon. Friend realise that Scotland does not accept the White Paper; and do the Government realise that this frequent disregard for Scottish interests will, in the end, drive some of us seriously to consider the arguments for Home Rule?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydI think it is a thousand pities that so much concentration is placed on Prestwick, which is by no means the only matter of importance when considering Scottish aviation. When the schedule of routes comes to be published it may well be found that Scotland is far better off than any other part of the United Kingdom.
§ Sir Herbert WilliamsIs my hon. Friend aware that it is not only Scotland which does not accept the White Paper?
§ Mr. GallacherIs the hon. Member aware that we had experience between the wars of industries being taken away from Scotland, and that we do not want Prestwick taken away?
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydThe schedule of routes will provide for increased industry for Scotland.