§ 12. Mr. Wrigglesworthasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will reconsider his decision to give Teesside airport category C status.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe Government will keep the role of individual airports closely under review, but as of now I foresee a positive growth of traffic for Tees-side airport within its present status.
§ Mr. WrigglesworthIs my hon. Friend aware that in the current year it is expected that the traffic at Teesside airport will increase by about 70 per cent. and that the surpluses will more than double? Will the Minister therefore pay careful attention to the increase of business passing through the airport with a view to reconsidering the decision not to give the airport category B status?
§ Mr. DavisI am glad to have confirmation of the information that I have received about the prospective growth in traffic of Teesside airport. This indicates that the category C status has not inhibited growth. I adhere to the view that it is not possible for the North-East to support two category B airports.
§ Mr. BrittanIs the Minister aware that there will be considerable disquiet about his answer, in view of the figures mentioned by the hon. Member for Thornaby (Mr. Wrigglesworth)? Is he aware that many people who are most directly involved with the airport find the arguments for refusing to give category B status to the airport wholly unconvincing?
§ Mr. DavisThe hon. Member might assert that, but I hope that the evidence about growth will give the lie to the argument that a stigma attaches to category C status. In the face of the overwhelming evidence, I cannot resile from the judgment that I have made.