HC Deb 12 November 1958 vol 595 c368
10. Mr. R. Harris

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will now consider removing London Airport to a coastal area and transporting passengers to and from central London in aircraft such as Fairey Rotodynes or large Bristol helicopters.

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

No, Sir, this would not be a practicable policy for many reasons.

Mr. Harris

Is my hon. Friend aware that life is now becoming intolerable for about a million people in South-West Middlesex? Does he not consider, having regard to the present situation and future developments—for instance, the vertical take-off of aircraft—that there is no case whatever for having London Airport where it is? Would he consider developing a new airport in a coastal area which is much better fitted to take some of these new, screaming monsters which frighten the life out of our constituents?

Mr. Neave

If my hon. Friend had been here last week he would have heard the statement which my right hon. Friend made about the future of London Airport, particularly with regard to noise, that we were going to carry out further tests and that we were doing everything possible to minimise disturbance there.

Mr. J. Howard

Would my hon. Friend consider moving these screaming monsters to Southampton?