asked the Minister for Industry and Commerce if he will state the total capital expenditure to date involved in the erection of buildings, equipment, etc., on the free airport at Shannon and the last known yearly account of maintenance, staff, etc.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Expenditure on Shannon Airport.
The total capital expenditure on the acquisition of lands, construction of runways, erection of buildings, and the provision of equipment, etc., at Shannon Airport, including Foynes, amounted to £2,434,400 at the 31st March, 1951, the latest date for which figures are available. This figure includes expenditure both by my Department and the Department of Posts and Telegraphs.
Expenditure on maintenance, etc., in the year ended 31st March, 1951, at Shannon Airport amounted to £317,810. This figure includes expenditure by my Department including the Meteorological Office and by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs on salaries of staff at the airport, travelling and incidental expenses, telegrams and telephones, rent and rates, maintenance, fuel, light, and staff transport.
The figures given include expenditure incurred before the Customs Free Airport Act, 1947, came into force. They also include expenditure on the small part of the airport which is not included in the customs-free area.