HC Deb 22 December 1954 vol 535 cc282-3W
54. Mr. Mikardo

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the establishment in the catering services at London Airport; and by how many, at the latest convenient date, the personnel employed fell short of establishment.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have no catering staff at London Airport. Catering for passengers and the general public is carried out under contract let to B.O.A.C., and the numbers employed are determined by it.

57. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he is aware that arrivals and departures of aircraft at London Airport are being delayed by overcrowding in the air; and what consultations he has had on the matter.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Some aircraft recently have been delayed at London Airport on arrival and take-off. This is inevitable when bad weather disrupts the flow of traffic. Severe storms have also occasionally affected the efficiency of the radar on the runway, and once recently the radiotelephone in an aircraft in flight failed and other traffic had to be held off until it had safely left the area.

My Department is continually in consultation with the Ministry of Supply on equipment questions and with the Service Departments and the operators on operational procedure, so as to make the most efficient use of the available airspace and minimise delays. These delays will also be much reduced when Gatwick Airport is in operation, and I am, therefore, pressing on as rapidly as I can with that airport.

Mr. N. Macpherson

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how many firms have been invited to tender for the catering contract in the new passenger building at London Airport; and whether applications will be considered from catering firms not so invited.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

Invitations to tender have been sent to 57 firms. The tenders are returnable on 31st December. The list includes all caterers thought likely to be interested and capable of undertaking the job satisfactorily, but there is nothing to prevent any who may have been overlooked from applying to my Department for the tender documents.