HC Deb 12 July 1960 vol 626 cc1163-4
27. Mr. Rankin

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he last had consultations with the Minister of Aviation about the possibility of a tunnel under the major runway at Prestwick.

Mr. Maclay

The Government's decision on this matter was intimated to the House by my hon. Friend the then Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Transport and Civil Aviation in the Adjournment Debate on 17th July, 1959. In it he said that if the runway extension was to go ahead at all it must be without a tunnel. There have been no consultations on this particular issue since then.

Mr. Rankin

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that in the Report which we shall discuss this afternoon he says that progress is being made towards the jet age at Prestwick? Is that progress represented by a widened taxiway, an extended runway and £7,000 spent on buildings which will be only temporary; and then there is a hold-up when the passengers get on to the road? Is that his idea of progress in the jet age?

Mr. Maclay

Let me give the hon. Member one piece of news which he ought to consider satisfactory. Very good progress indeed is being made with the trunk road bypass, a scheme which was started only about seven months ago. I hope that traffic will be able to use it, at least in times of congestion, by early autumn.

Mr. Rankin

In view of the unsatisfactory knowledge of Prestwick and its problems displayed by the Secretary of State, I beg to give notice that I shall raise the matter on the Adjournment.