HL Deb 20 March 1989 vol 505 cc455-7

2.44 p.m.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter asked Her Majesty's Government:

When they intend to withdraw the directive under which civil aricraft proceeding from Glasgow Airport to the western hemisphere are compelled to land at Prestwick Airport almost immediately after take-off.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

My Lords, we are at present considering, in consultation with my right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Scotland, a request from BAA plc for a review of Scottish lowland air traffic distribution policy.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that somewhat ambiguous reply. Is it not quite ridiculous to compel an aircraft which has just taken off on a transatlantic flight to land within a few miles of the point of take-off? Is he aware that that compulsion, according to the airlines, adds some £ 5,000, two additional take-offs and landings with all the safety considerations involved and adds three hours to the time of the round trip? What is the point of a Government, which believes in free enterprise, imposing a nonsense of that sort?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, the traffic distribution rules for Prestwick date back many years, originally, in fact, to 1946. They were looked at again in 1978 and 1979, again in 1982, and in the 1985 White Paper we said that they would be reviewed this year if the airport did not show a steady improvement in its financial results. BAA has asked for such a review and therefore, as I said in my original Answer, we are considering whether it should take place.

Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove

My Lords, is the Minister aware that the feeling in Scotland about Prestwick extends right across the party divide and that in another place the feelings of Members of all parties are extremely strong? Is he also aware that the defence of Prestwick is considered almost as a national symbol and that some of the figures produced suggest that Prestwick is not always treated with the fairness that one expects? Can the Minister tell the House whether it is true that, for example, Highland Express is charged £1,460 and £14.35 per passenger to land at Prestwick, whereas the same plane belonging to the same company is charged only £160 and £1.35 per passenger to land at Stansted? That is one of the reasons for such strong feelings regarding Stansted.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I am certainly aware of the feeling both ways in Scotland. Since BAA asked for the review, we have had representations from a great many people, some arguing for the retention of the traffic distribution rule and some asking for it to be swept away. Obviously, we shall have to take those matters into consideration in consultation with the Scottish Office, when we make our decision. Regarding landing charges, they are obviously more expensive at Prestwick because it is not well used and the airport has to cover its costs. Of course, it is limited by various international rules so that it cannot overcharge.

The Earl of Selkirk

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he is aware that Prestwick has the finest weather record for aviation of any airport in the country and is used by not only Glasgow airport but by airports all over the country when fog is about? Therefore, it is a fundamental safety factor in aviation at present, and I ask the Minister to bear that in mind with BAA, which is anxious to lower its costs, possibly by selling off Prestwick. It should be deterred from doing so.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I am well aware that Prestwick has an excellent weather record and is used quite frequently as a diversionary airport. The traffic distribution rule to which I referred has nothing to do with whether or not BAA will close the airport but is concerned with whether transcontinental flights should be allowed to use airports other than Prestwick in Scotland. That is what we are arguing about.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that it is not a question of whether airlines use airports other than Prestwick in Scotland? Air 2000 is already using Glasgow. This is a question of whether he does Prestwick any service by making it compulsory to call there ridiculously close to the point of origin.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I appreciate my noble friend's point. That is why BAA has asked for a review. At the moment the rules say that all transcontinental traffic must pass through Prestwick and not go directly to Glasgow or Edinburgh. That is why BAA has asked for a review, and that is why we are currently considering whether or not to have a review.

Lord Bruce-Gardyne

My Lords, can my noble friend advise us as to how long he thinks it may take for our fellow Scots to recognise the benefit which will accrue to the Scottish economy as a whole when it is accepted that Prestwick has no future?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, as I said earlier, feelings in Scotland run high on this issue —the noble Lord, Lord Carmichael, said they were "extremely strong". Therefore, in deciding whether to have a review we are consulting the Scottish Office and will make our decision fairly shortly.