§ THE EARL OF SELKIRKasked His Majesty's Government, whether they will distinguish between airfields to be used for ambulance services and other airfields, and whether they can indicate the authority responsible for the provision of airfields in each of these categories.
THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD PAKENHAM)The distinction between airfields to be used for ambulance services and other airfields rests on the principle that my responsibility to provide 525WA airfields does not extend beyond the requirements for regular air transport services. Airfields required for other purposes are provided by municipalities and private owners. The provision of airfields for ambulance services is the responsibility of the Health Departments or the local authorities as the case may be.
Of the aerodromes at which air ambulance services are at present available—namely, Islay (Port Ellen), Tiree, Barra, Benbecula, Stornoway, Orkneys (Hatston), Shetlands (Sumburgh), South Harris (Northton Beach), North Uist (Sollas), Isle of Man (Ronaldsway), Scilly 526WA Isles (St. Mary's), Alderney, Guernsey, Jersey—only two, Sollas and Northton Beach, are not in use for scheduled services. It is not contemplated that scheduled services will be run to Mull, Coll, Colonsay or Fair Isle, although extension of air ambulance services to these places is being considered, as I informed noble Lords on April 27. The provision of a landing strip at Foula is now thought to be impracticable. The extension of air ambulance services to some of the Orkney Islands is also being investigated.
House adjourned at eight minutes past seven o'clock.