HC Deb 12 May 1954 vol 527 cc1226-7
30. Sir T. Moore

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what arrangements exist at Prestwick Airport for providing air transport for passengers desirous of proceeding to other parts of Scotland, Northern England and Northern Ireland.

Mr. Profumo

Passengers who arrive at Prestwick with through tickets for other airports in Scotland, Belfast, Manchester or Newcastle-upon-Tyne may be conveyed, free of charge, by road to Renfrew where there are air services to these places. Direct air transport is not available between Prestwick Airport and the areas mentioned.

Sir T. Moore

While being deeply grateful for what my hon. Friend, my right hon. Friend, and his colleagues, have done for Prestwick, may I ask him1 to bear in mind that we cannot designate. an airfield or an airport as "International" unless we provide it with a feeder service to collect and deliver passengers to and from their destination? Otherwise, it is only theory and not fact.

Mr. Profumo

I cannot accept what my hon. Friend says. The provision of a feeder air service into Prestwick would not create an additional demand for trans-Atlantic travel, nor is the absence of such a service likely to deter any trans-Atlantic traveller who wanted to use Prestwick.

Mr. Rankin

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that services of the nature suggested in the Question are provided adequately by Renfrew Airport?

Sir T. Moore

I am talking about Prestwick.