HC Deb 09 July 1962 vol 662 cc952-4
14. Mr. Lipton

asked the Minister of Aviation why the lowest tender for the new multi-storey car park at London Airport was not accepted and why the various designs submitted in this competition have not been published.

Mr. Woodhouse

The lowest tender failed to meet the specifications because it would have accommodated too few cars. Another tender, which was the lowest in terms of cost per car space, was functionally unacceptable. This was not an architectural competition, but an invitation to tender for design and construction. It is not Government practice to disclose details of unsuccessful tenders, and in the present case copyright of these designs remains with the firms submitting them.

Mr. Lipton

Is it not the general impression that this was an open public competition, in which various firms were invited to submit solutions of the very interesting technical problems posed by this construction; and, in accordance with the usual practice when open public competitions are held, should not the designs have been published?

Mr. Woodhouse

That may be so in competitions of an essentially architectural character, but this was not a purely architectural competition. Many of the designs submitted involve technical innovations or improvements, and we have no reason to think their sponsors would wish to have them published for the benefit of their competitors.

5. Sir A. V. Harvey

asked the Minister of Aviation on what date work is expected to begin on erecting the piers for passenger use at London Airport.

Mr. Woodhouse

The office blocks now being built incorporate the first part of the pier system for No. 3 Passenger Building, and bridges to connect them with the aircraft stands will be begun next summer. At about the same time we shall also start the first pier for the short-haul terminal.

Sir A. V. Harvey

When will this work be completed? Will my hon. Friend press upon his right hon. Friend that the facilities at London Airport need overhauling completely? For instance, buses are used continually. Will this work obviate the necessity of using buses to take passengers to and from aircraft?

Mr. Woodhouse

The answer to the first part of my hon. Friend's question is that the south office block with the piers will be completed in July, 1962, and the north office block in May, 1963. The first pier from the short-haul building will take about nine to twelve months to build. As to the second part of my hon. Friend's supplementary question, London Airport is in a state of continuous change and development, and will continue to be so for as far as one can see into the future.

Mr. Lipton

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that some passengers have to walk enormous distances from the waiting hall before they even get on to the bus? Will he do something about that?

Mr. Woodhouse

Yes. I will do my best to make it as easy as possible for passengers.