asked the Minister of Aviation if he has now reached a decision on the application of Newcastle-upon-Tyne Corporation for financial assistance in the development of Newcastle Airport.

asked the Minister of Aviation what decision he has reached on the future of Newcastle Airport to serve the North-East.

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to reach a decision in the near future on the application made by the corporation of Newcastle-upon-Tyne for financial aid for its airport.

That is not good enough. How much longer is this delay to continue? Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that his Ministry has been putting us off with one excuse after another for ten years? Is he aware that Manchester Airport, for example, has received £1½ million since the war, while our airport has not received a single penny of public funds and has been developed by the ratepayers of Newcastle? Is he not aware that it fulfils a very important link in the national system of airways? Is it not about time that he did something to help us in the North-East?

I am aware that it has taken a long time, because it is a difficult and complex question. Traffic at Newcastle is considerably less than that at Manchester, but the reasons why it has taken such a long time are partly that, in consultation with the local authority, some modifications were introduced into the plan put to the Ministry, partly because the policy which was defined in the White Paper was finally formulated only in the course of this year, and partly because there are several local authorities with whom this matter has to be negotiated.

Is the Parliamentary Secretary judging this airport on its own merits or waiting until he has reached general decisions on other airports? Will he bear in mind that until this airport is brought up to the standard of a modern, efficient aerodrome, the traffic is not likely to increase as greatly as has that in Manchester?

Yes, Sir. Like every application of this kind, it is being judged entirely on its own merits in relation to the two criteria laid down in the White Paper.

Will my hon. Friend bear in mind how long these negotiations have been taking place, and will he ask his right hon. Friend to get a move on, as it is vital to the industrial development of the North-East?

I am aware that it has taken a long time, and I will convey my hon. Friend's remarks to my right hon. Friend.