Regional Air Services (Hansard, 27 July 1999)

§ 3. Mr. David Stewart (Inverness, East, Nairn and Lochaber)
What discussions he has had on the role of regional air services between Scotland and London in encouraging economic development. [91600]

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Scotland (Mr. Calum Macdonald)
I have had no such discussions recently, but I am well aware of my hon. Friend's concern, and my right hon. Friend keeps closely in touch with developments in this area.

§ Mr. Stewart
The Minister will be aware that, today, the Government announced that British Airways can acquire the City Flyer Aviation Company, with the proviso that it gives up slots at Gatwick. He will also be aware of the great problem, at both Gatwick and Heathrow, in providing slots for vital regional services, which are essential for business and tourism. Will he agree to make representations to the Minister for Transport to fight for those slots at Gatwick and Heathrow for vital regional services, such as the Inverness-London route?

§ Mr. Macdonald
My hon. Friend is well aware of the difficulty surrounding this issue, which is that we have to work within the context of European regulations. We fully recognise the need for the good links that he describes, which is why the Government have commissioned a special study on Scottish airports and aviation, and another study specifically on the links between Inverness 108 and London. I shall pass on my hon. Friend's representations to my right hon. Friend the Minister for Transport.

§ Miss Anne McIntosh (Vale of York)
Does the Minister share my concern that the chairman of Highlands and Islands airport has said that services can be secured from Scottish airports only for people living in Glasgow and Edinburgh? If so, what does he intend to do about it?

§ Mr. Macdonald
The hon. Lady might be quoting that gentleman slightly out of context. The key point that Mr. Grant was trying to make was that there is concern that the good service between Inverness and Gatwick will be upgraded so that it goes directly to Heathrow, but that that should not be seen as a reflection on the good service that already exists between Inverness and London.

§ Miss Anne Begg (Aberdeen, South)
The air links between Aberdeen and Heathrow are vital to the oil industry. Will my hon. Friend ensure that there is no diminution in the frequency of flights from Aberdeen into Heathrow, or in the volume of the service?

§ Mr. Macdonald
These are commercial matters for the airlines involved. However, we fully recognise the importance of the links between Aberdeen and elsewhere in the United Kingdom, not just for industry and business connections but for ordinary passengers and tourism to that part of Scotland.

§ Mr. Menzies Campbell (North-East Fife)
Does the Minister recognise that the growth of regional services of that kind depends on economic confidence but also on the confidence of operators and passengers in air safety? In any discussions that he has, will he do his best to resist the Government's half-baked proposals on National Air Traffic Services?

§ Mr. Macdonald
The Government's proposals are designed to attract new investment to the air traffic control system and, therefore, to improve services and air safety. I hope that the right hon. and learned Gentleman will welcome the fact that, as a result of the Government's approach in tackling these issues on a United Kingdom basis, we shall have two centres, one of which will be in Scotland. Were we in the situation that the nationalists would want, with separate states in the UK, we would not have the benefit of a centre in Scotland providing jobs in Scotland.