§ Mr. Errollasked the Minister of Civil Aviation whether he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations with the Manchester Corporation about the future of Ringway Airport.
§ Mr. Lennox-BoydRingway Airport is owned by the Manchester Corporation and is under their control. It was at one time proposed that the airport should be taken over by the State. Her Majesty's Government have, however, decided against this and we therefore intend, subject to a satisfactory agreement between the Corporation and the Government, that the airport shall remain under the ownership and control of the Manchester Corporation.
Negotiations have been proceeding with this intention in mind for some time. Good progress has been made and I have now suggested terms of an agreement to the corporation.
The general terms are that some of the State assets on the airport should be transferred, free of charge, to the Manchester Corporation, and that my Ministry should continue to provide all the technical and navigational services, and to contribute, in agreed proportions, to the cost of a programme of capital works now under way and of future capital works to be carried out with my consent. The Manchester Corporation would, for their part, retain ownership of the airport and would assume responsibility for its operation as an international airport.
These terms are now being considered by the Manchester Corporation.