§ 7. Mr. Granville Sharpasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Civil Aviation why no proposals have yet been made by his department for an airport and air service for the Leeds, Bradford, and heavy woollen district of the West Riding of Yorkshire; whether the proposed extension of the Yeadon airport has been finally rejected; and whether he will bear in mind that an airport at Doncaster will not provide the service required.
§ Mr. LindgrenThe only airport in the Leeds-Bradford area is Yeadon which is at present unsuitable for regular scheduled services. A detailed engineering survey, which has not yet been carried out owing to shortage of staff, will be completed as soon as possible to determine whether Yeadon can be improved to the necessary standard, and at what cost. The answer to the second part of the Question is "No, Sir." As regards the third part my noble Friend recognises that the distance of Doncaster from Leeds and Bradford is a disadvantage.
§ Mr. SharpCan the Parliamentary Secretary say how long these considerations will continue, in view of the fact that his Department have been going into them for the last 12 months?
§ Mr. LindgrenThe staff available for carrying out these work surveys are limited, and they have to take them in order of precedence. Yeadon is fairly high in the list, and we hope it will be undertaken fairly shortly.
§ Mr. M. F. TitteringtonCan the Parliamentary Secretary say whether there are any prospects that the Yeadon airport can be made into an all-weather airport?
§ Mr. LindgrenThat, Sir, will be one of the considerations of the investigations. I think I ought to say that it is a very difficult airport, and that the installation of both S.B.A. and S.C.S. 51 will present some difficulty, but they will be included within the survey and in the recommendations arising from it.
§ Mr. WalkdenCan the Minister tell us when the Ministry are going to make up their minds whether or not they want Doncaster airport? If they do want it, we want to know when it is to be taken over. If they do not want it, we should like to put the land to better use.
§ Mr. LindgrenThat is an entirely different question, and if the hon. Gentleman will put it down, I will give it consideration,
§ Mr. WalkdenThe hon. Gentleman's Ministry have been considering it for the last 18 months.