HC Deb 23 June 1965 vol 714 cc1744-5
20. Mr. Kenneth Lewis

asked the Minister of Aviation what action he proposes to take to increase the car-parking facilities at London Airport and to bring down the cost of parking.

Mr. Stonehouse

A multi-storey car park will form part of a new terminal building shortly to begin construction; plans are also being considered to increase the facilities adjacent to the No. 3 Oceanic Building. I can give no undertaking to reduce parking charges.

Mr. Lewis

Is the Parliamentary Secretary aware that the parking situation at London Airport is getting steadily worse and that parking at London Airport really cannot be restricted by using the price mechanism—or, at least, it should not be used for that purpose—since people have to take their cars there to permit them to travel further afield? Will the Minister therefore try to increase parking facilities either by an underground car park or something of that nature at a price which will allow people to leave their cars at the airport while they are travelling?

Mr. Stonehouse

There is a further Question down on this and I should prefer to deal with some of these points when it is reached. We are, however, already going ahead with providing new car parking facilities and the car park should be completed by the end of 1968 to hold about 850 cars. It would, however, be quite unable to cope with the demands which would be put upon it if the charges were reduced.

Mr. Corfield

Does not the Minister appreciate that these very high charges penalise precisely those people whose interests the Government should have at heart, namely, those who have established factories in the North-East or in Scotland who are actively engaged in exports to the Continent and require, therefore, to make short-term air journeys and to be able to leave their cars awaiting their return journeys? Will the Minister look at the problem in this light?

Mr. Stonehouse

As the hon. Member is anticipating his Question, perhaps I should reply now. The fact is that insufficient space is available in the central terminal area at Heathrow for all those who wish to leave their cars there for long periods. If they are allowed to leave their cars there, those who wish to use car-parking facilities for a short-term stay simply will not have the space. We believe that it is better to leave some car-parking space available for those who want to leave their cars for a short-term stay and to encourage those who want long-term parking to take advantage of the off-airfield parking facilities, which are convenient and cheap.