§ Sir T. Mooreasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation how the position of the Prestwick international airport now stands; and what further developments have taken place since his last statement.
§ Mr. LindgrenAs my noble Friend announced to the Scottish Council (Development and Industry) on 13th October, a scheme to provide for a new runway 7,000 ft. in length and new terminal buildings, at a total cost of about £5 million, has been accepted. Owing to limitations on the programme of capital investment, the work could not be begun until 1953 at the earliest and any decision to start upon it then will have to take account of the general economic position of the country and the extra use and regularity of the airport that would result from the expenditure. Meanwhile Prestwick will be maintained to meet the requirements of an international airport.