HC Deb 06 July 1981 vol 8 cc3-4W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will consider removing all Government subsidies to the VIP lounges at Gatwick and Heathrow as an economy measure.

Mr. Eyre

No Government subsidies are provided for the provision of VIP lounges at Gatwick and Heathrow. The charges levied by the British Airports Authority aim only at recovery of their costs. About 80 per cent. of the VIPs sponsored by the Government are foreign and Commonwealth Heads of State, members of Royal families, Ministers, diplomats and other dignitaries. The practice overseas is, without exception, to provide special facilities for such foreign visitors.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade which British airports, other than Gatwick and Heathrow, have VIP lounges which receive financial support from public funds; and what is the extent of that support in each case.

Mr. Eyre

All major United Kingdom airports have some provision for VIPs. None receives financial support from the Exchequer other than, as at Heathrow and Gatwick, when Government Departments are charged for their use.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will give the latest estimate for the total cost of the VIP lounges at Gatwick and Heathrow Airports in the current financial year.

Mr. Eyre

[pursuant to his reply, 3 July 1981]: The VIP facilities at Heathrow and Gatwick are the responsibility of the British Airports Authority, which charges for their use. The total cost to Government Departments in the current year for those VIPs they sponsor is estimated at £650,000.

Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will list the persons who currently have an automatic right to the use of the VIP lounges at Gatwick and Heathrow Airports; and what is the basis on which the list is complied.

Mr. Eyre

[pursuant to his reply, 3 July 1981]: My right hon. Friends, the Secretaries of State for Trade and for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs are responsible for advising the British Airports Authority on those to whom the Government consider it appropriate to accord special facilities at Gatwick and Heathrow airports. Those currently entitled to request VIP facilities include members of Royal families; presidents and Heads of State; Her Majesty's Ministers and senior Ministers from other countries; ambassadors, high commissioners and other senior diplomats; the Speaker, leaders of the parliamentary parties and United Kingdom delegations to the Council of Europe and European Assembly; heads of Government Departments, the armed services and certain international organisations; the Archbishops of Canterbury and Westminster and the Chief Rabbi of the United Kingdom; and guests of the Government. This list is kept under review.