HC Deb 23 February 1987 vol 111 cc12-3
14. Mr. Roger King

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what has been the total level of investment in regional airports in the midlands since 1979.

Mr. Michael Spicer

Capital investment at airports in the midlands since 1979 has totalled more than £80 million. That compares with total capital investment of less than £16 million at all regional airports under the Labour Administration.

Mr. King

I thank my hon. Friend for that answer. Does he agree that, despite the Opposition's allegation that we never invest any money in our infrastructure, this substantial investment must mean an increase in traffic at those airports? Has my hon. Friend any idea of the present amount of traffic?

Mr. Spicer

I am happy to tell my hon. Friend that the investment is, as he says, generating valuable new business for the region. At Birmingham airport about 180 direct scheduled services are operated each week to 17 foreign destinations. In 1986 alone, passenger traffic increased by more than 25 per cent. At East Midlands airport about 34 scheduled services a week serve five overseas destinations, and in 1986 traffic rose by 20 per cent.