HC Deb 21 January 1948 vol 446 c179
3. Major McCallum

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the number of personnel employed at the Glenegadale Aerodrome, Isle of Islay, Argyllshire, by British European Airways Corporation and his Department, respectively.

Mr. Lindgren

As to the first part of the Question, this is a matter of management. The number of Ministry staff is 17.

Major McCallum

Is the Minister aware that when Scottish Airways administered this service they ran this aerodrome with a staff of one? They maintained it from 1934 until the service was nationalised without an accident, with the greatest regularity, and with more services than are run today. Does not the Minister think this a shocking waste of personnel?

Mr. Lindgren

I was not aware of the facts just quoted by the hon. and gallant Member, but, with improvements in transport, navigational aids require staff there. If there was a staff of only one, there was no crash tender crew, because in a crash tender crew at least four men are needed. If there had been a crash it would have been hard luck for those involved.

Major McCallum

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that there were safety precautions administered in a supplementary way? The staff was run by one man, and he was able to maintain the aerodrome.

Mr. Lindgren

He must have had a very busy time.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the proportions now are seven air crew, 20 maintenance and 30 office staff?

Mr. Lindgren

To which service is the hon. Gentleman referring?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Throughout the Corporation.

Mr. Lindgren

We are dealing with a single service.