§ 30. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to reach a decision on the request of Glasgow Corporation for permission to develop the vacant ground at the southwest end of the main runway in the interests of the safe operation of civil aircraft using Abbotsinch Airport.
§ Dr. Dickson MabonThis will depend on the results of further discussions with Glasgow Corporation for which my right hon. Friend is now asking.
§ Mr. RankinWill my hon. Friend proceed hastily with these discussions? Is he aware that this vacant ground is in the flight path of aircraft using Abbotsinch Airport, which means that it is used by birds and birds are always a danger to civil aircraft?
§ Dr. MabonNot all birds, but in this context that is a fair point to make. On the contention that the application should be regarded as having no bearing on any possible future proposal to extend the runway, but rather because it is related to what my hon. Friend has said and to some other matters, the Secretary of State is asking for further information before he can adjudicate on the matter.
§ Mr. NobleWould the hon. Gentleman bear in mind that civil aircraft are not using Abbotsinch at all at the moment? Will he do his best to get them operating there again?