§ 5. Mr. Croninasked the Minister of Aviation, in view of the fact that the proposed increased landing fees at Heathrow and Gatwick Airports will be the highest landing fees in the world and that these two airports compare unfavourably in passenger handling efficiency with foreign airports of a similar nature, if he will reconsider his policy in this connection with regard to the future of these two airports.
§ The Minister of Aviation (Mr. Peter Thorneycroft)No, Sir. I do not accept that the London Airports compare unfavourably with others. Figures quoted for landing fees are often quite misleading.
§ Mr. CroninIs not the Minister aware that there is widespread criticism of the amenities available to passengers, and the genera] passenger handling at London Airport and Gatwick Airport? If he is 6 unable to stabilise the landing charges, would he not at least achieve some increase in efficiency at both airports?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNo, Sir, I am not aware of that.
§ Mr. John HallIs my right hon. Friend aware that the major airline companies are under the impression that the charges in general at London Airport are higher than anywhere else in the world? If that is not so, will he analyse the charges to show that they are mistaken?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI appreciate the point made by my hon. Friend, but it is completely impossible to analyse them. The degree of subsidy is not disclosed in the case of American airports. Some international body might do it, but I do not think that anyone has power to extract the necessary information.