HC Deb 13 May 1959 vol 605 cc1234-5
36. Mr. Hector Hughes

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will specify the nature and number of the complaints he has received, and from whom they came, about the loss and inconvenience caused to travellers to and from the north-east of Scotland to London by the unsuitability of the airports at Edinburgh and Glasgow, which involve travellers in delay waiting for connections; and if he will specify the suggestions he has received from such travellers and from experts to resolve these complaints by obviating the delay.

Mr. Hay

As I informed the hon. and learned Member on 6th May, we are not aware of any long delays or of any unsuitability of the facilities at these airports which might tend to create delays in this service. We have received no complaints or suggestions on the subject.

Mr. Hughes

Does the hon. Gentleman not realise that this is a long-standing grievance and an interference with the keeping of appointments in London and with the fulfilment of contracts? Will he look into this and see that business is properly served by obviating the delay which undoubtedly exists?

Mr. Hay

I find it difficult to follow the hon. and learned Member's supplementary question yin view of the Question he has asked about whether we have had complaints about the loss and inconvenience caused to travellers through the unsuitability of the airports involving travellers in delay. I can answer only for airports. If the hon. and learned Gentleman is complaining about schedules operated by B.E.A., I cannot answer be-ruse, as he knows, that is a matter of the day-to-day working of British European Airways.

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