§ 40. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what civil airports in the United Kingdom were closed, and for how many days in each case, since 1st November, 1958, to the nearest convenient date.
§ Mr. HayI will, with permission, circulate information in the OFFICIAL REPORT about civil airports where weather conditions prevented operations for a period of 24 hours or more during the period 1st November, 1958. to 20th January, 1959.
§ Mr. RankinWould the hon. Gentleman agree that during this winter the closures have been exceptional, owing to fog? Can he say whether any estimate has been formed of the losses which have befallen operating corporations as a result of fog disruption? May I also ask whether we have given up hope of achieving an effective method of fog dispersal?
§ Mr. HayI think that all hon. Members who have travelled by air know how annoying fog delays can be. Without notice, I have not any estimate of the cost to the corporations or independent operators.
§ Mr. RankinCan the hon. Gentleman get an estimate?
§ Mr. HayIf the hon. Member cares to table a Question, I will look into the matter. In answer to the last part of the hon. Gentleman's supplementary question, my hon. Friend the Member for Wembley, South (Mr. Russell) has tabled a Question about F.I.D.O., the Answer to which will, I think, clear up the hon. Member's doubts.
§ following is the information:
| Airport | Number of days | |
| Belfast | … | 2 |
| Birmingham | … | 2 |
| Bristol | … | 9 |
| Cardiff | … | 3 |
| Exeter | … | 3 |
| Leeds and Bradford | … | 4 |
| Liverpool | … | 3 |
| Lydd | … | 2 |
| Manchester | … | 3 |
| Renfrew | … | 2 |
§ There were, of course, a number of other occasions when operations ceased for part of a day.