Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Robert Goodwill and Chris Ruane

Thursday 10th July 2014 Commons Chamber

[Chris Ruane (Vale of Clwyd) (Lab)]

4. What assessment he has made of the level of domestic and international connectivity provided by regional airports.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Transport (Mr Robert Goodwill)]

The Government value the domestic and international connectivity that the UK’s regional airports provide. They make a vital contribution to the growth and recovery of regional and local economies, benefiting businesses and passengers alike.

[Chris Ruane]

The first hovercraft passenger service in the world was from Rhyl to Wirral more than 50 years ago, and currently three hovercraft companies want to restart that. One of them—Hoverlink—wants to establish a link to Liverpool airport from north Wales. Will the Minister meet a delegation of MPs involved in that, and Hoverlink, to establish what could be the first hovercraft link to an airport in the world?

[Mr Goodwill]

I was expecting to be asked about surface connectivity, but travelling on the surface of the water is a novel idea. That is an exciting idea, and I would be delighted to meet those involved, and possibly even take a ride on one of those vehicles.