HL Deb 12 May 1970 vol 310 cc488-9

2.41 p.m.

LORD KILMANY

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 what estimate has been made of the probable increase in traffic at Turnhouse Airport at the time of the Commonwealth Games; and what steps are being taken to accommodate this extra load of passengers.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, as operator of the airport, the Board of Trade keep in close touch with the airlines, but so far they have learnt only of one additional flight being arranged. However, many more flights could be accommodated without difficulty outside the peak hours and there is still time for them to be arranged.

LORD KILMANY

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask him if he can say, in making his estimate, whether B.E.A. were asked how many additional flights they could operate if these were required?

LORD BESWICK

Well, my Lords, they can operate quite a number of additional flights if they are required; but the bookings at the moment do not appear to justify putting on any further flights.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, in view of the Minister's statement that he thinks further flights will take place, will he ensure that, alongside any expansion of other facilities, the public telephone facilities are greatly expanded compared with what they are at the moment?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, that is a little outside the scope of this particular Question, but I will see that one of my colleagues takes note of it.

LORD STRATHCLYDE

My Lords, can the noble Lord say whether B.E.A. have the aircraft available to put on all these additional flights?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I do not know what additional flights the noble Lord is talking about; but if more are required, certainly they can be put on.

LORD BLYTON

My Lords, is it not the fact that the flights will not be needed because of the black countries' refusal to take part in the Commonwealth Games in Scotland?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, unfortunately this appears to be a matter which is delaying the progress of booking, and so on.