HL Deb 31 July 1964 vol 260 cc1320-1WA
LORD FORBES

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether in view of the increased air traffic through Edinburgh (Turnhouse) and the fact that during the month of May this year 8.8 per cent. of the scheduled B.E.A. fights were cancelled or diverted due to weather (including adverse wind direction), they will take steps to ensure that an alternative runway is constructed as a matter of urgency, if the present policy is to retain Turnhouse as the airport for Edinburgh.

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF TRANSPORT (LORD CHESHAM)

Only one-fifth of these cancellations and diversions in May were due to excessive crosswinds; the remainder were due to other weather conditions and would have occurred whatever the direction of the runway. The construction of an alternative runway, at a cost of about £2m., in order to eliminate these relatively few cancellations and diversions, would not be justified.