§ 18. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when it is proposed to use Prestwick Airport as an international and national air junction.
§ Mr. LindgrenPrestwick was designated an international airport on the day it was taken over by the Ministry of Civil Aviation—1st April, 1946. There are 15 international services at present operating through it every week in each direction. There is at the moment also a service six times weekly London-Prestwick-Renfrew-Aberdeen. As British European Airways Corporation's resources expand, additional services touching Prestwick will be established to feed the international services and serve the Ayrshire coast.
§ Sir T. MooreDespite that customary soothing answer, can the Minister explain why the Scottish company operating this great airport have had to go to Dutch K.L.M. and French Air France to get charter work in order to keep themselves alive?
§ Mr. LindgrenWe are most grateful to Scottish aviation for doing that. These airlines are run on bilateral agreements and when they take such action we get the aircraft based in this country on both routes when we establish our own air line. Also, from the Chancellor of the Exchequer's point of view, it is a very important invisible export.
§ Mr. GallacherCan the Minister tell the House whether there are any Scottish-built aircraft flying from Britain?
§ Mr. LindgrenI am afraid not.