§ 35. Mr. Michael Marshallasked the Secretary of State for Transport what, for the most recent 12-month period for which figures are available, was the total number of hours during which normal operations were suspended at all international airports as a result either of the inability of snow-clearing facilities to clear snow from runways or of the absence of such facilities; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerSuch figures are not available and could be produced only at disproportionate cost. However, statistics published by the British Airports Authority show that, in the financial year 1983–84, its airports were closed for the following periods for the clearance of snow and ice:
Airport Period of time Heathrow Nil Gatwick Nil Stansted 6 hours and 2 minutes Glasgow 15 hours and 37 minutes Edinburgh 1 hour and 30 minutes Prestwick Nil Aberdeen 23 hours and 43 minutes