§ 2.36 p.m.
§ LORD KILMANYMy 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 what proposals and appeals for assistance have been received by them from Prestwick Airport Development Association, and to what extent it will be possible to respond to these requests.]
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, the Government received on Thursday, April 18, a report on services at Prestwick from the Prestwick Airport Development Association, and these proposals are being studied.
§ LORD KILMANYMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware that there is a feeling throughout Scotland that not enough is being done to develop the potential of Prestwick Aerodrome, and will the Government do all they can to encourage B.E.A. and B.O.A.C., and also foreign airlines, S.A.S. and K.L.M., to use it as much as possible? Further, will the Government look into the possibility of removing the restriction on independent British airlines which I believe now prevails and which does not allow them to open new routes through Prestwick?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, as I think the noble Lord knows, I have followed the affairs of Prestwick for twenty years and at no time during that period has there been anything but a feeling that we were not doing enough for them. I sympathise with the feeling and I should like to see Prestwick developed. So far 466 as S.A.S. and K.L.M. are concerned, it is entirely a matter for decision by the companies themselves. As for the independent airlines, I think it is simply a matter of licences being granted through the A.T.L.B.
§ LORD KILMANYMy Lords, surely the noble Lord agrees there is scope for Government influence in this matter?
§ LORD BESWICKYes, my Lords, and I think the noble Lord will agree that the Government have done what is possible, and the Airports Authority are also doing what is possible to provide the facilities. Use of the airport is entirely a matter for the commercial companies.
§ LORD STRATHCLYDEMy Lords, will the noble Lord use his influence with B.E.A. to ensure that when Glasgow Airport is blacked out by fog Prestwick is used, in preference to passengers being sent all the way through to Edinburgh?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I am not sure of the mileage concerned, but I will see that this point is considered.
§ LORD STRATHCLYDEIt is about twice the distance.