HC Deb 16 January 1985 vol 71 cc324-5
10. Mr. Bruce

asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on the implications for Scotland of the privatisation of Scottish airports.

Mr. Ancram

The Government's aim is to ensure adequate airport capacity, provided as efficiently and costeffectively as possible, to meet Scotland' s needs. Particular proposals for privatisation will be pursued with this objective in mind.

Mr. Bruce

Will the Minister acknowledge that the management of the four main airports in Scotland by the British Airports Authority has been of considerable benefit, and that the retention of that management group and the link with the BAA will continue to be of benefit to Scottish people? Is the Minister aware that, in the particular case of Aberdeen airport, Grampian regional council — which, as the Minister knows, is Conservative-controlled—has expressed doubts as to the case for privatisation?

Mr. Ancram

The hon. Member must be aware that no decisions have yet been taken concerning privatisation of the BAA airports in Scotland, and at this time it would be improper for me to speculate on how that might happen.

Mr. Robert Hughes

Is the Minister aware that there is no case whatever for privatising the airports'. Will he further accept that the majority opinion is that the four major airports in Scotland should not be sold off as an entity but as a group which contains Heathrow, otherwise business will be very seriously disrupted?

Mr. Ancram

The hon. Member is obviously trying to get me to speculate in a way that I have just said I will not do. I remind him that privatisation often creates greater efficiency and savings for those who use the services.

Lord James Douglas-Hamilton

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind that the Sottish airports run by the CAA in the Highlands and Islands and by my constituents in the CAA headquarters in Edinburgh, West and elsewhere in Scotland are run very economically, bearing in mind the essential lifeline service that they provide, and that it is extremely unlikely that any other body could run them as economically in the circumstances?

Mr. Ancram

My hon. Friend is also pre-empting decisions that have yet to be taken. Obviously, we shall be testing, and are indeed testing, the market for the proposition at the moment.

Mr. Wallace

The Minister will be well aware that in a written answer given to me by the Department of Transport earlier this week it was indicated that the Scottish Office, along with others, was considering proposals for six airports in the Highlands and Islands. Is there a distinction between the proposals and firm offers for sale, which were due in by 31 December last? If so, what is that distinction?

Mr. Ancram

A number of offers and inquiries have been received and are being considered. Obviously, those offers and inquiries differ one from the other.