§ 2. Sir Jocelyn Lucasasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what steps have been taken to remedy complaints made by passengers at Heathrow Airport with regard to lack of food, cigarettes, attention and general comfort and sanitary arrangements.
§ Mr. LindgrenThe departure waiting room has recently been considerably enlarged. Further waiting rooms, a new restaurant and more toilet facilities will be provided as soon as possible. But shortage 178 of labour and material will not enable us to reach for some time the high standard of amenities at which we aim.
§ Sir J. LucasSurely matters like cold tea, the lack of cigarettes and the lack of seating accommodation could be remedied now? Could not those responsible be sent to Northolt to see what happens there and to copy Northolt?
§ Mr. LindgrenThe hon. Member was good enough to send me a cutting on which he based his question. I think this was an exceptional case, in which the supervisor did not arrive in the morning quite as early as he ought to have done. After all, we all miss the bus sometimes.
§ Mr. John LewisIs it not a fact that passengers who arrive by coach at the terminus are forced to re-embark in the coach to travel 100 yards to the aircraft? Will my hon. Friend look into that?
§ Mr. LindgrenYes, Sir. This is a Customs requirement, but I will look at it and see if it can be avoided.
§ Squadron-Leader FlemingHow does it come about that facilities at Northolt are so much better?
§ Mr. LindgrenAt Heathrow we started converting ground less than two years ago. Northolt has been an R.A.F. station for many years, and facilities already existed there, so that we had something in being on which to build.
§ 10. Mr. W. Shepherdasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what consideration has been given to the servicing of Constellations at Heathrow; and what is the decision.
§ Mr. LindgrenLondon Airport will be the maintenance base for Constellations when permanent hangars and workshops are completed.
§ Mr. ShepherdHow long are we to have an enormous number of dead miles flown by Constellations which come to this country from Canada?
§ Mr. LindgrenThe only dead flying is, in fact, from Filton to London. In regard to the maintenance of aircraft, one has to take into account the workshops in which the work will be done, and the housing accommodation of the workers. The workers of Filton are housed there, and it would be an unnecessary upheaval in 179 their domestic lives if we were to bring them to London at the moment, quite apart from the non-availability of hangars.