HC Deb 04 December 1961 vol 650 cc919-20
24. Mr. Stodart

asked the Minister of Aviation when he expects work to be completed on the buildings of Turn-house Airport, Edinburgh.

Mr. Woodhouse

February, 1962.

Mr. Stodart

Is my hon. Friend aware that these buildings were to be ready under specification at the end of last July, that it was said in the House on 24th July that they would be substantially finished by the end of August, but that at the moment the Customs, arrival and departure bays are not ready? Is not this an example of considerable mismanagement somewhere?

Mr. Woodhouse

The main reasons for the delay have been the late delivery of materials and the shortage of skilled labour in the neighbourhood. We have been doing all we can to expedite the completion of the work as soon as possible, and I cannot do more.

25. Mr. Stodart

asked the Minister of Aviation what plans he has for providing better facilities for passengers arriving by car at Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh.

Mr. Woodhouse

Improvements carried out this year at Turnhouse Airport which have doubled the space available for car parking are sufficient to meet the estimated requirement for, at least, the next eighteen months.

Mr. Stodart

Is my hon. Friend aware that at many airports facilities are such that passengers can be put down first and cars proceed afterwards to the parking bays, whereas at Turnhouse Airport congestion is caused by tickets having to be obtained for the parking area before passengers are set down? Can he not arrange for this airport to be brought into line with others?

Mr. Woodhouse

Different airports certainly have different facilities, but the parking arrangements at this airport are regarded as adequate for the foreseeable traffic.