§ 30. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Aviation if he will state the reasons for the delay in building the piers for embarking and land passengers at London Airport.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe first pier from the Europa and Britannia buildings is now complete and construction of the second will start shortly. Piers will also be added to the Oceanic Building and a new passenger building to be built on the North-East side of the Central Area. Construction has to be carefully phased to minimise interference with airport operation but there should be no undue delay in completing these improvements to the facilities at Heathrow.
§ Mr. RankinDid I hear my hon. Friend say that one of the piers was now complete? In that case, can he say why it was not in use on Monday when I landed at London Airport? Can he tell us why it is not in use, and also when it will be in use?
§ Mr. StonehouseThe pier is now constructionally complete, and it will be in use in the next few days. We are anxious to press ahead as quickly as we can with the reconstruction at Heathrow, because we want the facilities there to be up to the highest standards, in view of the great demand made upon them.
§ Sir Ian Orr-EwingWill the hon. Gentleman try to persuade the airport authorities to leave the aprons close to the ends of these piers free for the use of aircraft to a maximum extent, and not lumber them up with carriage vehicles and other servicing vehicles? The whole point of investing money on these piers was to enable passengers to move straight from the terminal building to the aircraft without having to em-bus and de-bus.
§ Mr. StonehouseI will certainly bear that point in mind.
§ Captain OrrCan the Minister tell me whether the pier will be open in time for the visit of the President of the Board of Trade to Belfast on Friday?
§ Mr. StonehouseI hope so.
§ Mr. George Y. MackieIf the hon. Member cannot get the pier completed in time, will he at least get the notices stating that these piers will be completed in early spring brought up to date? Will he also take note of the fact that his hon. Friend the Member for Glasgow, Govan (Mr. Rankin) has some complaints about the service?
§ Mr. RankinNo. May I congratulate—
§ Mr. SpeakerOrder. There is some difficulty about allowing two supplementary questions to one Member.