HC Deb 07 March 1951 vol 485 cc428-9
39. Miss Irene Ward

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement with regard to the proposal that a site at Boldon, County Durham, should be earmarked for a civil airfield.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Beswick)

My noble Friend is now satisfied that, with the development of civil aviation, there may well be a need in the future for an international airport to serve the north-east area and that Boldon is the best site for that purpose. Although, for economic reasons, there is no prospect of building this airport in the near future, the site will be safeguarded against any surface development which might prejudice its eventual use as an international airport.

Miss Ward

While expressing pleasure at the satisfactory outcome of the representations made to the Minister from both sides of the House in this connection, may I ask whether the hon. Gentleman will bear in mind that to maintain employment on the north-east coast it is of urgent importance that we should be associated with every modern development? Will he take steps towards that end, so that in future we shall not be put into the position of having applied rather than negotiated?

Mr. Beswick

We will bear that point in mind.