§ 47. Dame Irene Wardasked the President of the Board of Trade if he will give an assurance that the development of better airport arrangements facilitating the quicker progress of passengers will be contemporary with the new aircraft designed to carry an increased number of passengers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuI can certainly give this assurance in regard to civil aerodromes owned by the Government. Other airport authorities are, I know, also working to this end.
§ Dame Irene WardI thank the hon. Gentleman for that assurance. Why then have we so much chaos in quite a number of international airports, such as Honolulu and all over the world, including Heathrow? What is the good of an assurance for the future if the present is not dealt with satisfactorily by the hon. Member? I ask him not to say that this is not a responsibility of his, because I think it ought to be if it is not.
§ Mr. MallalieuUnfortunately or otherwise, it is a fact that I am not responsible for Honolulu. At Heathrow large building operations are now going on, designed to improve this matter.
§ Mr. RankinDoes my hon. Friend realise how important increased pier facilities are at an airport in order to promote efficiency in handling people, because as one result there will be reduced bus services? Does he realise that the greatest contribution would be a third London Airport? When is that coming?
§ Mr. MallalieuOn the last part of that supplementary question, a decision will be announced very shortly. On the first part I noted the point when it was put to my right hon. Friend earlier this morning.