HC Deb 23 June 1965 vol 714 cc1737-8
14. Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

asked the Minister of Aviation what progress he has new made in his support of an air service for Dundee.

Mr. Stonehouse

The Lord Provost's latest suggestions to me in connection with such a service were for assistance towards the airport facilities. Unfortunately, as I have explained to the Lord Provost, the grant requested lies well outside the scope of any Government assistance available towards aerodromes or aerodrome equipment.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

Would the hon. Gentleman urge his right hon. Friend the Minister to look at this matter again? Would not he agree that it is deplorable that Dundee, as the third major industrial city of Scotland, should continue to have no air service? Would not he further agree that we are unlikely to get this service unless the Government are prepared to underwrite the cost during the period of trials when we need to find out whether the service can be made attractive for local users?

Mr. Stonehouse

I have gone into this matter with considerable care, and I was very pleased to meet the representatives from Dundee to discuss it with them at some length. But their proposal would entail a subsidy, and as we have not found ourselves in a position to provide such a subsidy, we asked Dundee to look again at the proposals which they put to us. If we introduced a subsidy for Dundee, there would be great demand for one from elsewhere.

Mr. Bruce-Gardyne

In view of the unsatisfactory nature of that reply, I beg to give notice that I will raise the matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible opportunity.