23. Mr. C. I. Orr-Ewingasked the Minister of Civil Aviation the estimated capital cost of developing Gatwick Airport according to the plans his Ministry has recently published.
§ 25. Sir G. Toucheasked the Minister of Civil Aviation the estimated costs of the proposed development of Gatwick Airport.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe cost of the first stage of development as proposed in the published plans, copies of which are in the Library, is estimated to be £6 million spread over the next seven years. The total cost of the second stage of development cannot yet be forecast. It will in any case be started only if traffic justifies it and certainly not before 1958.
§ Sir G. ToucheCan my hon. Friend say whether that includes the cost of diverting the Brighton Road?
§ Mr. MaudlingThat includes the contribution of the Ministry of Civil Aviation to the cost of diverting the Brighton Road, which I understand is the major part of the cost.
§ Sir G. ToucheCould not the Minister find out from the Minister of Transport the cost of diverting the Brighton Road?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe hon. Gentleman can also find out by putting down a Question to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Transport.
§ Mr. GoughDoes my hon. Friend remember that the original estimates for London Airport were proved in practice to be hopelessly inadequate, and has he borne that experience in mind when considering the estimates for the first stage of Gatwick Airport?
§ Mr. MaudlingI do not think my right hon. Friend was in any way responsible for the original estimates for the development of London Airport, but certainly the experience of London Airport has been very closely borne in mind in framing the estimates for the development of Gatwick.
§ Mr. LindgrenCould the Parliamentary Secretary inform us whether the statement he has now made covers the aerodrome requirements of B.E.A. if they are also required to vacate Northolt?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think that is a different question, which I should like to deal with later.
§ 24. Sir G. Toucheasked the Minister of Civil Aviation whether, in view of the many objections raised against the proposed development of Gatwick Airport both on national and local grounds, he will hold a public inquiry into the desirability of this project.
§ Mr. MaudlingNo, Sir. The Government's proposals for the extension of Gatwick Aerodrome were explained to representatives of the planning and other local authorities concerned, and of the Crawley Development Corporation, at a meeting on 6th October. The authorities are now considering these proposals, and they have agreed to let my Department have their views by 20th December.
§ Sir G. ToucheHave not these authorities asked for a public inquiry?
§ Mr. MaudlingI think it would be better to await the considered views which these authorities have undertaken to let my Department have in due course.
§ Sir G. ToucheDoes my hon. Friend realise that there is a widespread feeling that this development may be a costly blunder and that all that anxiety would be allayed if there were a proper and impartial public inquiry?
§ Mr. MaudlingThere is no doubt that this development will be costly. All aerodromes are of their nature costly. But that does not say that it is a blunder. What I have said is that the authorities concerned are considering seriously and in detail the proposals made and have undertaken to let us have their views by 20th December; and in the circumstances I think it is better that we should await their views.
§ Sir G. ToucheIf they ask for an inquiry, will they get it?
§ Mr. MaudlingAs I have said, it seems advisable to await the receipt of their views.
§ 26. Sir G. Toucheasked the Minister of Civil Aviation what advice he received from the British European Airways Corporation on the suitability of Gatwick Airport for large scale expansion; and if he will state the reason for the present change in policy.
§ Mr. MaudlingThe British European Airways Corporation have stated that Gatwick Airport would be suitable to them for development as an alternate for London Airport. There has been no change of policy as far as the present Government is concerned.
§ Sir G. ToucheIs not my hon. Friend aware that about four years ago this Corporation made inquiries into this matter and decided that Gatwick was not suitable for large-scale development? Could he say what has happened to make the Corporation change their mind, because the only change in the situation has been the development of the new town at Crawley?
§ Mr. MaudlingI can speak only for the advice received by the present Government from British European Airways, which is that Gatwick Airport would be suitable for their purpose; and I understand that they have been expressing this point of view for at least the past three years.
§ Sir H. WilliamsCould my hon. Friend say whether Her Majesty's Government are entitled to start on this job before some money has been provided in the Estimates?
§ Mr. MaudlingIf my hon. Friend will study the Estimates he will find that provision has been made.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanCould my hon. Friend tell me what will be the loss of good agricultural land involved in the development of these enormous runways?
§ Mr. MaudlingThe amount of land involved is some 700 acres, which I am told is not of the first agricultural quality. I should also like to point out that land between the runways will be cultivated, as it is cultivated on existing civil aerodromes.