THE EARL OF MANSFIELDasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is correct that they have agreed to make a grant of some one and a half million pounds for the construction of an airport in Tortola, to serve the British Virgin Islands; and whether they do not consider that this admittedly desirable development 678WA should be delayed, until at least a similar sum has been provided for the construction of the much more urgently needed second runway at Turnhouse.
§ LORD SHEPHERDThe cost of the extension of the existing airport in Tortola is likely to be between £150,000 and £200,000. The method of financing it is at present under consideration by the Commonwealth Office and the Ministry of Overseas Development.
British aid for the work will be provided under the Colonial Development and Welfare Act, and the question of assessing the relative priority of this airfield and that at Turnhouse does not therefore arise.
House adjourned at six minutes before seven o'clock.