HC Deb 27 June 1961 vol 643 cc181-2
8. Mr. J. Howard

asked the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will take steps to restore the Customs facilities to Southampton Airport in order to enable the airport to meet the demand for air services to the Channel Islands and to the Continent.

Mr. Barber

Customs facilities have already been arranged for the services scheduled for 1961 to the Channel Islands and the Continent. The position will be reviewed at the end of the year.

Mr. Howard

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for the restoration of the special Customs facilities. May I ask, however, whether he is aware that Her Majesty's Government sold the airport to the present owners as a going concern, and, as full Customs facilities are necessary for its operation, will he please take immediate steps to enable the airport to be designated a Customs airport?

Mr. Barber

I could not accede this year to my hon. Friend's request, but I can assure him that redesignation would be possible if the international traffic developed sufficiently.

Dr. King

Is the Economic Secretary aware that, whilst we are delighted that the anxieties about the airport have been temporarily relieved, his colleague in the Ministry of Aviation assured us in answer to a Question on 15th March that he would use his good offices to help the airport? That being so, would the hon. Gentleman see that no further difficulties are put in the way of a very plucky effort?

Mr. Barber

I should have thought that the hon. Gentleman was quite wrong in suggesting that any difficulties had been put in the way of this airport. In fact, I think that the Customs have been very forthcoming. Whether or not they can go on to give full Customs services—in other words, designate the airport—depends on the amount of traffic.