§ Mr. Tinnasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement on the future of the West London Air Terminal.
§ Mr. Michael HeseltineThe future of the West London Air Terminal is primarily a commercial matter for the British Airways Board. The board recently announced that check-in facilities at the terminal will be withdrawn from
148W1st January 1974. I understand that the board believes this decision to be in the best interests of British European Airways passengers as a whole, a substantial majority of whom now check in at Heathrow itself. The board also expects its decision to lead to significant cost savings. The board does not intend to close the terminal and a regular coach link with Heathrow will be maintained, though there will no longer be a guaranteed connection with particular flights.