§ 26. Mr. Kirkasked the Minister of Aviation how many aircraft movements take place at Stansted Airport each week; and what proportion of those are training flights.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsDuring 1964, the average number of aircraft movements per week was 617; 62 per cent. were training movements.
§ Mr. KirkCan the Minister say whether training flights are charged at a lower rate than other flights?
§ Mr. JenkinsYes, Sir. There is a purely training flight which is charged at the rate of 25 per cent. of other flights.
§ 27. Mr. Kirkasked the Minister of Aviation whether current flying operations at Stansted Airport incur a deficit; and how great this is.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsThe operating deficit at Stansted Airport was £82,335 in the year ending 31st March, 1964. The provisional figures indicate that the deficit for the year ending 31st March, 1965, will be similar.
§ Mr. KirkCan the Minister explain this enormous deficit on over 600 flights a week from the airport? Is not this the real reason for his insistence on placing a major international airport there?
§ Mr. JenkinsI would not describe it as an enormous deficit. It has fallen from £204,000 in 1960, and £137,000 in 1961. It has been an improving position, but not one which we would expect to improve further substantially unless the major Stansted development went ahead.