HC Deb 14 April 1993 vol 222 cc639-40W
Mr. Stott

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how much(a) public money and (b) money originating from European funding programmes has been invested in Belfast international airport over the last three years; what proportion of the total sum invested has been spent on improving the infrastructure of the airport; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

Direct Government financial assistance to Belfast international airport ceased in 1989. Over the last three years over £7.5 million of grant aid from the European regional development fund transportation programme has been received, all of which has been spent on improving the airport infrastructure.

Mr. Stott

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects to announce the sale of Belfast international airport; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

The Government's decision to privatise the airport was announced by my predecessor in November 1991.

Mr. Stott

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many airport police operate at Belfast international airport; under whose control they currently operate; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

A total of 59 airport police are employed at Belfast international airport. They are all employees of Northern Ireland Airports Ltd. and operate fully under their control.

Mr. Stott

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland if he will list(a) the numbers of flights and (b) the numbers of passengers passing through Belfast international airport over the last three years; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Atkins

There were 96,510 aircraft movements at Belfast international airport in 1990; 97,213 in 1991; and 96,991 in 1992. Passenger movements in the same three years were 2,293,749; 2,168,226; and 2,245,618 respectively.

Mr. Stott

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland how many people were employed at Belfast international airport on 1 January; and if he will make a statement.

Cost per pupil
Belfast North eastern South eastern Southern Western
£ £ £ £ £
i. Centrally provided services 307 321 317 368 389
ii. Central administration 61 42 47 62 60

Mr. Atkins

The figure is 363.