§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they are making to lengthen the runways and to erect a permanent passenger terminal building at Cardiff (Rhoose) Airport.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD MANCROFT)My Lords, the subsidiary runway at Rhoose Airport, near Cardiff, is being lengthened by 414 ft. to 3,700 ft.; improvements are being carried out to the terminal building and new aerodrome lighting and navigational aids are being installed. These works should enable Rhoose Airport to meet the traffic requirements at the airport for some years to come.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for what appears to be a very satisfactory Answer, may I ask him whether the runway will now meet the needs of Viscount aircraft? And is he aware that on Saturday last no fewer than 600 'plane movements took place at this airport?
§ LORD MANCROFTYes, my Lords, I am aware of that; and it is with the possible increase in traffic in view that these calculations of improvements have been made. I am afraid that I cannot, without notice, answer the noble Lord's question about the Viscount because I cannot remember what length of runway the Viscount requires; but, so far as I know, no Viscount is at the present moment using the airport as a regular part of its service, and I do not believe it is envisaged that it should in the future. But, if the noble Lord would allow me, I should like to look into that question.
§ LORD OGMOREI am much obliged. This is very important, because quite soon not only B.E.A. but a number of other aircraft companies will be using Viscount aircraft or aircraft needing a similar runway.