HC Deb 17 March 1965 vol 708 cc1273-5
35. Mr. Galbraith

asked the Minister of Aviation if he will improve lavatory facilities at London and Renfrew airports.

Mr. Stonehouse

Facilities at Heathrow for passengers using No. 2 Passenger Building (Britannic) were improved last December. New facilities for passengers arriving on domestic services will be available this summer.

While the facilities at Renfrew are in total sufficient, I agree that their distribution is not ideal. Renfrew Airport will however be closed in about a year, when the new Glasgow Airport at Abbotsinch is opened, and the provision of additional facilities at Renfrew would not in these circumstances be justified.

Mr. Galbraith

Is the Minister aware that, in spite of the improvements to the No. 2 Britannic section of London Airport, I know from personal experience, that there was a queue on Monday at no fewer than three lavatories? Is he aware that this gives a very bad impression to people arriving in this country? I include the international section too, because I have made a journey from there. It gives a very bad impression of the cleanliness in this country compared to that of other aerodromes, two of which—Brussels and Milan—I know well, and which are infinitely superior to anything in this country.

Mr. Stonehouse

The hon. Gentleman may like to read the Report of the Sanitary Ware Manufacturers two days ago, which gave special praise to the facilities provided at our airports. I freely admit, however, that when hundreds of people are arriving there in a particularly short period, the facilities can become congested.

Mr. Younger

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the improvements going on to the domestic department at Heathrow seem to have taken an amazing length of time? Will he look into the possibility of improving and speeding up the work?

Mr. Stonehouse

We will look at that point, but we hope that these facilities will be completed by the summer, when the main rush is expected.

Sir A. V. Harvey

Will the Parliamentary Secretary agree to give the same urgency to this matter as the Government gave to the provision of bathrooms and private lavatories for Ministers?

Mr. Stonehouse

We will give it all possible consideration. In particular, we want the facilities to be provided quickiy, because we are anxious that our airports should provide the best facilities.