§ 38. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will state, to the nearest convenient date, the actual amount of money spent on the development of London, Gatwick, Ringway, Renfrew and Prestwick Airports; the sums which have been allocated for further development in each case, but not yet spent; and what part of these amounts will be consumed in the present financial year.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterAs the answer contains a number of figures I will, with permission, circulate it in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
§ Mr. RankinI shall study the figures with interest. In the meantime, may I ask if the Minister is aware that the Government's performance in regard to Prestwick lags far behind the Government's promises?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterI do not for one moment accept that. On the contrary, as the hon. Gentleman will no doubt be aware, we are in particular getting ahead with the additional runway provision there.
§ Colonel Gomme-DuncanWhen my right hon. Friend is putting the figures into the OFFICIAL REPORT will he add the comparable figures for the airport at Erroll?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIf my hon. and gallant Friend will put that question down.
§ Following is the answer:
| — | (A) | (B) | (C) |
| Expenditure to date | Sums allocated for further development | Expenditure this year on items in Col. B | |
| £ | £ | £ | |
| London | 24,730,000 | 5,300,000 | 2,300,000 |
| Gatwick | 30,000* | 6,000,000 | 900,000 |
| Manchester | 1,190,000 | 75,000† | 75,OOO† |
| Renfrew | 1,305,000 | 100,000 | 100,000 |
| Prestwick | 3,700,000 | 1,400,000 | 1,100,000 |
| * Expenditure on Gatwick before 31st March, 1946, is not available. | |||
| † Represents the amount included in current estimates on account of a development programme, details of which have not yet been settled. |