§ 2.36 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what percentage of the flights in and out of Turnhouse were diverted in the ten days beginning February 27, and how many passengers were inconvenienced.]
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD WALSTON)My Lords, 27 per cent. of air transport flights were cancelled or diverted during this period; 2,486 passengers were affected.
§ THE EARL OF PERTHMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for the figures, which I am sure all your Lordships will agree are very shocking for a ten-day period. Do Her Majesty's Government realise that, with the tendency to use bigger planes and faster planes, the figures are going to get worse in the coming years, and this is of particular importance regarding flights from Europe? I therefore hope that Her Majesty's Government will consider the situation very seriously.
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, perhaps it would put the matter in a slightly better perspective if I were to give the figures not simply for the short period which the noble Earl asked about but for the three years, 1964, 1965, and 1966. Only 0.7 per cent. of all scheduled air transport flights were cancelled or diverted because of cross-winds. I agree 736 with the noble Earl that this is a matter which requires serious attention, and it is being looked at very carefully, particularly in view of the flights coming in from Europe which he mentioned. I think it would be unfortunate if people got the idea that the high percentage figure I gave for the ten days beginning on February 27 was in any way representative of the longer period.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, arising out of that reply, may I ask the Minister this further question? While there may be some justification for saying the past record has not been too bad—though it has been bad enough—is the Minister aware that by 1969–70 British European Airways hope to be operating new aircraft, which will accentuate the present disadvantage unless some action is taken before then?
§ LORD WALSTONMy Lords, I would not accept that the new aircraft will be less capable of landing and taking off in cross-winds. But, again, I accept that this is an undesirable situation, and it is hoped that a decision will be taken in the fairly near future to improve it.