HC Deb 19 July 1978 vol 954 cc513-4
5. Mr. Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland when he expects to announce the outcome of the planning appeal made in connection with the proposed new terminal buildings for Dundee airport.

Mr. Millan

Tayside regional council wants to re-site the existing terminal buildings at Riverside airport and has asked me to withdraw a direction I made in August 1977 restricting the grant of planning permission for further development at the airport until the approval of a structure plan. I have written to the council asking for further information on its proposal before I reach a decision on its request.

Mr. Wilson

I appreciate the difficulties that the Minister faces, but this matter has now been under review by his Department for about four months. Will he bear in mind that Dan-Air has indicated an interest in putting in a scheduled service to Dundee airport but that because the present terminal facilities are over a quarter of a mile away from the runway it has declined to do so? Does he agree that this matter is very important, if Dundee is to be brought into the mainstream of air commmunications in Scotland?

Mr. Millan

I know the problems at the airport and I know the reasons why the authority would like to re-site the terminal, but I think that I am entitled to ask it for information, for example, about environmental considerations and whether this could be taken as a further development of the airport, which, of course, is not really in line with the previous direction. My Department wrote to it on 11th July. When I get a reply I shall certainly consider it as quickly as possible.

Mr. Rifkind

In considering the future of Scottish airports, will the Secretary of State take account of the delegation from Lothian regional council, which is visiting the Department of Trade this afternoon to press for Edinburgh airport to be allowed to utilise scheduled transatlantic routes?

Mr. Speaker

We must have fair play. The hon. Member for Edinburgh, Pent-lands (Mr. Rifkind) ought to have tabled a Question about Edinburgh airport.

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