HC Deb 28 March 1960 vol 620 cc937-9
25. Mr. Leather

asked the Minister of Aviation what percentage of landings and take-offs at London Airport deposited and picked up passengers direct from passenger exits, and therefore did not require omnibus transport to and from aeroplanes, for any recent period for which figures are available.

Mr. Rippon

In the first two weeks of August, 1959, which was a typically busy period, the percentage was 49.8 of all arriving passenger flights and 34.5 of all departing passenger flights. In the first two weeks of February, 1960, which was a typically quiet period, the percentages were 51.7 and 34.1, respectively. These figures relate only to the central terminal.

Mr. Leather

I thank my hon. Friend for these figures, but would he not agree that it is a needless irritant to passengers to be trundled on and off buses, particularly at the end of long journeys? As it appears to any fairly regular user of the airport, and as my hon. Friend's figures show, it happens far more often than not. Would my hon. Friend instruct the traffic control officers to consider the convenience of passengers in this respect?

Mr. Rippon

I assure my hon. Friend that every effort is made to utilise the inside stands. However, only nine of the 50 stands are within easy reach on foot and, as my hon. Friend probably knows, it is internationally accepted that passengers are not expected to walk more than 1,000 feet.

28. Mr. Strauss

asked the Minister of Aviation what steps he proposes to take to relieve the congestion at times of high traffic density in the north and central terminals of London Airport.

The Minister of Aviation (Mr. Duncan Sandys)

Congestion at the air station on the north side will be slightly relieved by the end of this month, when the customs hall is enlarged. There will be considerably more relief next year when the first part of the new air station in the centre is opened.

Plans are also being made to increase the number of passengers that can be handled by the existing central air station. It is hoped to complete this in time for the summer traffic next year.

Mr. Strauss

Shall we see soon the plans for the north terminal building, which will be of great importance and great interest to everyone concerned? They have not yet been published. As for the central premises, is the Minister aware that as about 50 per cent. of passengers now arrive in their own vehicles the congestion is getting very grave indeed at the offices where tickets are presented and examined and, even worse, that the size of the departure and arrival lounges is wholly inadequate when traffic density is very high? Does the right hon. Gentleman not agree that a major reconstruction of the air terminal is really essential if great frustration and delay are to be avoided?

Mr. Sandys

The building at the north terminal will not be rebuilt. There will be a new building at the centre to handle the traffic now being handled at the north terminal. I shall publish the plans and I shall give the Press access to a model very soon indeed. Very extensive additional car parking facilities will be provided in connection with the new building. I have already referred in my Answer to improvements in passenger-handling capacity at the existing central air station.

Mr. Strauss

The right hon. Gentleman said that there would be some improvement but what will the rearrangements be? Will there be an enlargement of the existing lounges, which are so small, where people have to wait when they want to board a plane or when they arrive? Is the right hon. Gentleman going to do away with the huge area which is now not used for health inspection and also a great deal of the Customs offices which are not fully used?

Mr. Sandys

At the north terminal, which is the subject of the right hon. Gentleman's Question, there is really nothing much that can be done. It is a temporary building and the best thing is to press ahead with the new permanent building in the right place and not spend a lot of money in tinkering with the old temporary structure.

Mr. Strauss

But can we have some indication of what is to be done at the central terminal, which I specially mentioned?

Mr. Sandys

I said that there are plans to rearrange the internal layout as far as we can within the existing structure, and I hope that this will be completed in time to deal with peak traffic next year.