§ 17. Mr. Goughasked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on his plans for developing Croydon Aerodrome as a centre for business and private aviation.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Housing and Local Government is considering the represenations made at the public inquiry held in October, 1960. These included suggestions that the aerodrome should be operated by a commercial organisation for use by executive aircraft.
§ Mr. GoughYes, but is my right hon. Friend aware that the Minister of Housing and Local Government has now taken several months? Is he fighting the battle on behalf of aviation in this connection? Does he realise that since the end of the war 18 airfields in the vicinity of London have been closed down and that it would be a calamity if Croydon also were closed down?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI appreciate my hon. Friend's view, but it is not the only view which has been expressed about Croydon. I think it right that full consideration should be given to these matters. A number of technical aviation points were raised at the inquiry and it 884 may be necessary to have some further inquiry into these.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIf Croydon is not allowed to remain open, will my right hon. Friend consider backing a syndicate which proposes to try to purchase Blackbushe Airport, which has many facilities of great use to executive and private aircraft?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThat raises a separate point. Perhaps my hon. Friend would put down a separate Question.
§ Mr. GoughIn view of the unsatisfactory nature of the Minister's reply, I beg to give notice that I shall endeavour to raise the matter on the Adjournment.