§ THE EARL OF DUDLEYMy 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 why private motor cars are no longer allowed to pull up on the main road 1271 at the various entrances and exits at London Airport New Building, and are directed to another parallel roadway: whether this does not cause considerable hardship and discomfort to passengers in bad weather, as well as danger from being run into by airline buses and other vehicles while crossing the main road, and create a very bad impression on visitors from abroad: and whether arrangements can be made to discontinue this direction until some form of protection against bad weather has been built up to the parallel road, and suitable arrangements made for minimising the danger.]
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, there are special difficulties in regulating the various types of road traffic in the vicinity of the passenger building. Over 50 per cent. of the passengers now come to the airport by motor car and last summer conditions became very congested at peak times. The new arrangements were evolved following a detailed study last winter by representatives of the Airlines, the Ministry of Transport, the Police, the Automobile Association and the Royal Automobile Club. After some initial troubles, the new arrangements seem now to be working satisfactorily. But if further experience shows it to be desirable, we shall not hesitate to modify them.
§ THE EARL OF DUDLEYMy Lords, is the noble Earl aware that there is nothing undesirable or undemocratic in going to the airport in a private car? Why should airline buses take precedence over private cars? I am sure the noble Earl knows that in many cases it is impossible for passengers, if they live in the country, to go to the airport by airline buses and they are put to this great discomfort. Is it not cheaper and quicker to go in their private cars? I do not see why the airline buses should have precedence. Does the noble Earl agree that this state of affairs does not exist in any other country where there is a first-class airport? Does he not think that it is evidence of a lack of care and organisation on the part of the Government that this state of affairs should exist, and that it should be put right as soon as possible?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I should like to assure my noble friend straight 1272 away that these arrangements are not just bureaucracy run riot, but have been designed for the general convenience of the majority of passengers. The reason—and it is a simple reason—why the airline coaches get priority is that they carry large groups of people with a great deal of luggage, and if they all had to move across this particular road the situation would be far worse than it is.
§ THE EARL OF DUDLEYMy Lords, can see that it might be impossible for all visitors to pull up at the main exits, but bona fide passengers should have the right to do so. Surely the policeman on point duty should be empowered to say, by looking at his luggage, whether or not a passenger is a bona fide passenger. Does the noble Earl agree that this is a thoroughly bad organisation at the moment, and should be discontinued?
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I do not think my noble friend would expect me to agree that this is a thoroughly bad organisation. I would say, though, in answer to him, that my first experience of the new arrangements tended me to take a rather subjective view of these things. A fortnight ago, on going to Canada, I ran into the new arrangements and found them personally very inconvenient. But a year ago, when, under the old arrangement, I was stuck in a queue reaching right into the tunnel, I found that much more inconvenient. These arrangements are designed to deal with what is admittedly a difficult passenger traffic problem.
§ LORD SILKINMy Lords, would the noble Earl make representations regarding the collection of luggage?—because, in my view, that is where the real hardship might arise. If they can ensure that luggage is collected from the private cars, wherever they are allowed to stop, I think that most of the hardship would be alleviated.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, I will, of course, bring the point which the noble Lord has made to the attention of my right honourable friend, but I should like to mention to him that my understanding is that there is a special hut or shed for the porters in the centre of the new bay.
§ THE EARL OF DUDLEYMy Lords, may I ask what happens in the pouring 1273 rain, when people are put to inconvenience? In view of the Minister's very unsatisfactory Answer, I shall return to the charge later.
EARL JELLICOEThe question of pouring rain obviously poses a problem. I should like to say to my noble friend that these arrangements are purely experimental at the present time. If they prove satisfactory, then consideration will be given to the erection of shelters over these new bays.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, would the noble Earl consider sending to his honourable friend a copy of the debate we recently had on this subject, as well as one which we have recently had on toxic seed dressings?