Mr. Ross:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation when the survey to determine the future development and status of Prestwick Aerodrome is likely to be completed.

Surveys of alternative ways of developing Prestwick have been completed but will require much study before a development plan can be determined. Meanwhile, the expenditure of labour and materials on such a major capital project would not be justified in the current economic circumstances. The present status of Prestwick as an international airport for transatlantic traffic is being maintained.

Mr. Ross:

Does my hon. Friend fully appreciate that this continued delay in coming to a decision regarding Prestwick is giving rise to considerable doubts in Scotland, as well as holding up housing and industrial development in the area?

Yes, Sir, but my hon. Friend will appreciate that in the various development plans which have been under discussion there are questions of the diversion of roadways and a railway, and there is also a considerable area which has coal underneath it. Very full discussions have to take place between the various Government Departments and a decision made to the best advantage of all concerned.

While I welcome the somewhat belated interest of the hon. Member in Prestwick, may I ask the Parliamentary Secretary whether he is aware that this is a subject which is of more interest, practically speaking, than any other industrial subject in Scotland today, and will the Government come to some early decision as to what part Prestwick is to play in the future of civil aviation in Scotland?

That decision has already been made.

Why not announce it?

Will my hon. Friend keep before him the fact that a Select Committee of this House has already urged that these negotiations should be brought to a conclusion as early as possible, and will he do everything possible to further that aim?

Yes, Sir.

Mr. Ross:

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation if he will consider reintroducing Prestwick as an intermediate link on the Renfrew-London air route.

The reintroduction of Prestwick as an intermediate link on the Renfrew-London route is operationally uneconomic, by reason of the short distance between the two aerodromes.