HC Deb 30 October 1957 vol 575 cc189-90
12. Mr. G. M. Thomson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what answer he has made to the recommendations of his Scottish Advisory Council regarding the need for a regular air service from Errol Airport.

The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation (Mr. Airey Neave)

My right hon. Friend has received no recommendations from the Scottish Advisory Council.

Mr. Thomson

Is the Minister aware that during the Summer Recess the Scottish Advisory Council has definitely come down in favour of an air service from Dundee? Is he further aware that there is now an urgent need of new industry in the city, and that it is generally accepted that the lack of modern air communication is one of the obstacles to attracting new industry to Dundee?

Mr. Neave

All I can tell the hon. Gentleman about the meeting of the Scottish Advisory Council is that I understand that in August it resolved to write to my right hon. Friend and also to B.E.A. We have not yet so far received the letter. Of course, if we do, we shall take into account what it says.

Mr. Strachey

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree, whether or not he has received recommendations from the Scottish Advisory Council, that he has certainly received representations from everybody else in Dundee and that part of Scotland?

Mr. Neave

My right hon. Friend sympathises with the local interest in this question, but as I think the right hon. Gentleman knows, it is a matter for B.E.A. and other operators to decide whether they can find a remunerative route to include Errol in their network.