HL Deb 10 May 1966 vol 274 cc549-50

2.38 p.m.

LORD FERRIER

My 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 whether the authorities concerned are proceeding with plans for an underground access to the West London Air Terminal from Gloucester Road Tube station.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD CHAMPION)

My Lords, not at present. The possibility of more radical improvements to transport facilities between Heathrow Airport and Central London is being studied in the Transport Co-ordinating Council for London. My right honourable friend the Minister of Transport is asking them to look also at the noble Lord's suggestion.

LORD FERRIER

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his helpful reply. But would not the Government agree that, with the high traffic density at peak hours in the Cromwell Road, the Underground is the only reliable way of making a quick passage to the air terminal, besides being the most economical? If that is so, would the noble Lord endeavour to expedite the improvement of the conditions as they are to-day?

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, I imagine it is the recognition of the facts which the noble Lord has given to the House that has caused the Minister of Transport to ask the Co-ordinating Council to look at the matter. I think all of us who use that route must realise the difficulties the noble Lord has mentioned.

LORD MERRIVALE

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord why, since Underground trains pass right under the main building at the West London Air Terminal, consideration was not given to providing platforms there and having certain Underground trains stop there?

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, there are all sorts of considerations which come in here—financial reasons, quite clearly. All these will have to be looked at by the Council concerned, and eventually, perhaps, by the Minister.

LORD HAWKE

My Lords, are Her Majesty's Government aware that this question was under very careful consideration when I was a junior Minister ten years ago and had to reply to a debate on this very subject?

LORD CHAMPION

My Lords, I am also aware of the fact that the Government of the day, because of financial reasons, which I imagine still exist, did not go on with this proposal.

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