§ 9. Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations he has received with regard 864 to possible disposals of those airports in Scotland at present owned or managed by the British Airports Authority or the Civil Aviation Authority.
§ Mr. YoungerI have received no representations about disposal of the BAA airports, and two about disposal of the CAA airports. Disposal of these airports is primarily a matter for my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State for Transport, with whom I am, of course, fully in touch.
§ Mr. ColvinDoes my right hon. Friend agree that it would be best if commercial or municipal bodies, or a combination of both, were found to take over the airports, particularly those in the Highlands and Islands? If these airports, or some of them, are required for social purposes, surely they should become the direct responsibility of my right hon. Friend's Department? In view of the Government's commitment to consider the introduction of private capital into the British Airports Authority and to look again at the responsibilities of the Civil Aviation Authority, what representations has he made to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport?
§ Mr. YoungerI am grateful to my hon. Friend for his interest in this matter. He is correct about the social considerations. There are good social reasons for the use of these airports. We recognise that by supplying from my Department a considerable subsidy to help to reduce the costs for those who use the airports. On the possibility of privatisation, I can assure my hon. Friend that if my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport feels able to proceed towards privatisation in any form he will take into account the social aspect in the conditions of any sale.