§ Sir R. Caryasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the progress of negotiations with the Manchester Corporation about the future of Manchester Airport.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterManchester Airport has established its position as one of the most important aerodromes of this country. It is owned by the Manchester Corporation. Some years ago, the Government agreed in principle that, in view of the importance of the Airport and of the City Corporation's wish to continue to own it, arrangements for the future operation of the airport should be considered between the Corporation and my Department.
Agreements are now about to be signed between the Manchester Corporation and my Department whereby the Corporation will continue to own and be responsible for the operation of the Airport and will take over, free of charge, some of the State-created assets on the Airport. My Department will continue to provide all technical and navigation services and will contribute to the cost of capital works on the airport carried out with my consent in agreed proportions. The total cost of those works as now foreseen is likely to be of the order of £1 million over the next few years. I am arranging for copies of the agreements to be available in the Library.