§ 29. Mr. Geoffrey Cooperasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will review the question of future London airport requirements as a matter of urgency and if he will consider setting up an airport committee to consider the whole question.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Lindgren)This question is under continuous review within my Department, and no purpose would therefore be served by setting up an airport committee on the lines proposed.
§ Mr. CooperWill not my hon. Friend agree that so far the provision of aerodromes for London has been considered piecemeal and no overall policy has been decided? Since the Pakenham Committee was set up to consider the question of flying-boat bases, would it not be appropriate now to have a similar committee 2038 set up to consider landing places especially in the London area?
§ Mr. LindgrenThe policy for aerodromes is settled, and I announced it on 1st March.
§ Colonel HaughtonWill the Parliamentary Secretary bear in mind that it may be necessary to plan for two entirely different types of airports, the one dealing with the helicopter type of aeroplane, as near as possible to the centre of our cities, and the other dealing with the 100-ton type of aircraft? Does not he agree that, in planning, these two factors must be taken into consideration?
§ Mr. LindgrenMost certainly.