Mr. Ted Fletcherasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware that the number of passengers travelling from Tees-side Airport has decreased by two-thirds over the last year; and whether he will now announce his decision on the appeal from the Air Licensing Board, particularly, in view of the fact that the report of the Commissioner was received at his office on 21st April 67W and that further delay is frustrating the efforts of the Airport Committee in building up the passenger traffic.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuTraffic between Tees-side (Middleton) and London in the first six months of 1967 has been clown by about one-third on the corresponding period of 1966. This is attributable to a number of factors, notably the improvement of the rail service. My right hon. Friend announced his decision on the appeal in reply to a question by my hon. Friend the Member for The Hartlepools (Mr. Leadbitter) on 6th July.—[Vol. 749, c.284.]