HC Deb 21 January 1985 vol 71 cc723-4
14. Mr. Terlezki

asked the Secretary of State for Wales what representations he has received regarding the future of Cardiff-Wales airport.

Mr. John Stradling Thomas

The Department received representations from the Cardiff-Wales airport joint committee about its proposals to extend the runway. I am sure that my hon. Friend will welcome the Government's favourable response to those proposals.

Mr. Terlezki

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for that reply. An increase of 11 per cent. in passengers at Cardiff airport in 1983–84 is welcome. Does he agree that we must do everything that we can to help the airport authority to ensure a greater use of the airport in future, especially during the tourist season?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

I, too, greatly welcome the announcement by my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for Transport of a capital expenditure allocation to enable the runway at Cardiff-Wales airport to be extended in 1985–86. That is a clear demonstration of the Government's commitment to the development of the airport, which is a substantial asset to south Wales, and it demonstrates the point of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State that it will be even easier to get to a good game of golf in Wales in the future.

Mr. Roy Hughes

Does the Minister appreciate that the Opposition welcome the increasing success of Cardiff-Wales airport and hope that its most recent application will be considered favourably? How does he reconcile his attitude with the proposal to spend more than £1 billion at Stansted airport? Could not that money be used, not only to develop Cardiff-Wales and other regional airports, but to create general development work and thus employ more people?

Mr. Stradling Thomas

There appears to be a misunderstanding on the hon. Gentleman's part. The money has been allocated. The runway extension should be operational by the summer of 1986. It will allow direct transatlantic flights between Cardiff and the eastern United States and Canada. I am sure that it will boost the number of tourists coming to Wales and make Wales an even more attractive location for inward investment.