§ 21. Mr. Brooksasked the Minister of Public Building and Works what expertise in airfield construction his Department has made available to other Government Departments generally and developing countries overseas in particular.
§ Mr. LoughlinA specialist branch within my Directorate of Civil Engineering is the Government professional consultant for all aerodrome construction 1197 problems which advises and guides all Departments who have aerodrome responsibilities. In the past year visits have been made to 10 developing countries overseas and feasibility studies have been completed for a potential 15 aerodrome sites.
§ Mr. BrooksWould not my hon. Friend agree that in many developing countries, which have very inadequate surface transport facilities, the development of an adequate airfield system is absolutely vital for economic growth? Will he indicate to what extent his Department was actually involved in construction of these overseas airfields?
§ Mr. LoughlinWe have given a lot of information and expert advice to a whole series of countries. At the moment, we are building a civil aerodrome at Mahé in the Seychelles and at Bahrain in the Persian Gulf.