HC Deb 26 April 1967 vol 745 cc1588-90
24. Mr. Stodart

asked the President of the Board of Trade why the engineering and construction of 8,400 ft. of runway at Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh, will take three and a half years.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

This is the estimate given to us by the Ministry of Public Building and Works based on its experience of runway projects at other aerodromes, and on its knowledge of this particular site, both of which are considerable. The project, no firm decision on which has yet been taken, would involve, among other things, diverting the Gogar Burn.

Mr. Stodart

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, if his programme is right, getting the airport into international use in time for the Commonwealth Games in 1970 will be completely out of the question? Can he say whether it is the case, as was reported elsewhere, that the United States has built a 9,000 ft. runway in three months? What on earth is the matter with us if it takes us three and a half years?

Mr. Mallalieu

I must say that the length of time that I got for this Answer surprised me. We have consulted outside contractors, as well as the Ministry of Pubic Building and Works, and this seems to be a fairly firm estimate. I am afraid that it is absolutely out of the question that we shall be able to get the new runway ready in time for 1970 and the Commonwealth Games.

Mr. R. Carr

Would the Minister look into this again in view of the information given to him by my hon. Friend? Apart from the question of building a runway, and the time taken to do that, I have been sitting here for 18 months hearing about pending decisions on this matter.

Mr. Mallalieu

Some part of the period that I have announced is not for the actual construction. About one and a quarter years is needed for detailed planning and engineering and so on. In view of what the hon. Gentleman has said, I should very much like to have the information in detail, and I will make further inquiries about American methods.

25. Mr. Stodart

asked the President of the Board of Trade how many movements of aircraft in and out of Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh, took place during 1966; and what were the equivalent figures in respect of Ringway Airport, Manchester, and the airports at Renfrew and Abbots-inch.

Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu

Provisional figures of total movements of aircraft in and out of Turnhouse Airport, Edinburgh, during 1966 were 50,257. Equivalent figures in respect of Ringway Airport, Manchester, were 49,875; Renfrew and Abbotsinch 37,252. Provisional figures for commercial air transport movements in 1966 were Turnhouse 10,383; Ring-way 35,467; Renfrew and Abbotsinch 30,917.

Mr. Stodart

In view of these figures for Turnhouse, which seem to be extremely substantial compared with the others, can the hon. Gentleman explain why it is that Turnhouse is the only one of the three, and I believe the only airport in Britain, which has no radar equipment of any kind? Will he see that equipment is installed?

Mr. Mallalieu

Of the total aircraft movements at Turnhouse, 66 per cent. are military, or aero club flights. I will have a look at this point.