HC Deb 06 May 1963 vol 677 cc23-4
36. Miss Harvie

Anderson asked the Minister of Aviation what progress is being made in the construction of alternative airport and landing facilities, to enable Renfrew Airport to close.

37. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will make a statement on the outcome of his meeting with the representatives of Glasgow Corporation on the future of Glasgow's airport.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation (Mr. Neil Marten)

Design work on a new civil airport at Abbotsinch has been going ahead. The next stage in the development is dependent on the outcome of negotiations between the Ministry and the Glasgow Corporation. These negotiations are at an early stage and it would be premature to make a statement at this juncture.

Miss Anderson

Does my hon. Friend agree that it is time that there was a decision in this matter, since the new airport was due to open in 1963? Will he look again at the new airport design, which seems to be old-fashioned and makes no provision far passengers to walk to and fro under cover?

Mr. Marten

I will look at the design. As regards getting on with a decision, the matter rests between two parties to a negotiation.

Mr. Rankin

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, when I flew over Abbots-inch this morning, it was seen to be in exactly the same state as it was three years ago when the question of the new airport first arose? No progress whatever has been made. If the trouble resides between the Minister and Glasgow Corporation, then, in the interests of aviation in Scotland, of the travelling public and of business people, could not the Minister go ahead with the development of Abbotsinch and leave his quarrel with Glasgow Corporation to settle itself in a normal fashion?

Mr. Marten

The hon. Gentleman is quite wrong; there is no quarrel with Glasgow Corporation. There are discussions going on at present, and I do not wish to make any comment on those discussions at this stage. If the negotiations reached a satisfactory conclusion in the near future, construction work could start at the end of yerar.

Mr. Rankin

I did not insinuate that there was anything very evil in the quarrel. It is a difference, and is it not a difference over money? Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that this matter has been delayed far too long and that, ultimately, the Minister must bear the chief responsibility? Could he not go ahead with the development of the airport and have the quarrel or difference with Glasgow settled quietly while the development goes on?

Mr. Marten

While the discussions are going on—they are discussions and not a quarrel—it would be a great mistake to start work. It is, surely, better to finish them first—I hope that it will not be too long—and then, if we get agreement, go ahead with the work.