§ 2.35 p.m.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government when they are going to make the necessary arrangements to enable an air car-ferry service to operate between Anglesey and Dublin, and why there has been such a delay on their part in providing the airport facilities for such a service.]
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, this is the second Question that I have had to answer for the noble Lord, Lord Ogmore, and in spite of the brevity of the Answer I do assure the noble Lord that I have gone through all the facts I give to him, and they are facts which I have satisfied myself are completely correct. The only aerodromes in Anglesey are the Royal Air Force aerodromes at Valley and Mona. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Air has carefully considered whether facilities for regular civil air services could be provided at these aerodromes, but because of the requirements of the Royal Air Force and the nature of the military flying he has had to decide against allowing scheduled air services to use them.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for his efforts in trying to get a satisfactory Answer, but I cannot say the Answer he has got justified the efforts he put in. Is it not a fact that Wales has lost this air ferry to Liverpool owing to the dilatoriness of the Government in coming to a decision? And, secondly, if the Government will not allow any Royal Air Force Station in Anglesey to be used, is there an alternative airport which they could make avail- 1200 able for this car ferry to Ireland which is so essential to the development of services between the two countries?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, it is quite true, as the noble Lord knows, that this particular Royal Air Force Aerodrome at Valley is the nearest to Ireland and, therefore, geographically speaking, is the most suitable for such a service. My right honourable friend could have allowed the service up to March, 1959; but that period has expired and he now requires this aerodrome for military services which could not possibly allow a regular service. It will be possible to land occasionally, by arrangement with the commanding officer from time to time. It is true, my Lords, I suppose, that Wales has indeed lost a place for carrying out a car-ferry service, but, unfortunately, there is no other aerodrome available. Such R.A.F. aerodromes as are in existence are not suitable for the type of service the noble Lord has in mind.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, will the noble Earl look at the possibility of opening up Withybush with a view to a car-ferry service to Cork?
EARL BATHURSTMy Lords, I will certainly draw the attention of my right honourable friend to what the noble Lord has said. But I assure him that every aerodrome has, in fact, been considered.