§ 3. Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether the siting of new British airports will be taken into account in the formula[...]ion of regional policy.
§ Mr. AdleyWill my right hon. Friend accept that there is a fundamentally different attitude among people in the South-East towards airports from that taken by people in the rest of the country, mainly because the South-East already has access to international airports, and will he look seriously at the site on Severnside which has been discussed as it is the only environmentally suitable site which will be within one hour of Central London by the time that advanced passenger trains are operating in 1978?
§ Mr. WalkerWe shall give full consideration to all alternatives, but I find that, when an actual airport is likely to come, the attitudes in different parts of the country are strikingly similar.
§ Mr. Hugh JenkinsIs it not a fact that one of the reasons why people living around Heathrow are so hostile to aircraft noise is that the airport is unfortunately situated from the point of view of approach, so that aircraft approaching are compelled to fly over the populated areas of London? Will the right hon. Gentleman recognise the urgent need to reduce the amount of noise at and around Heathrow, and, whatever he proposes to do, will he make up his mind quickly, preferably in favour of an airport on the coast?
§ Mr. WalkerThe House will have an opportunity to debate that issue, and thereafter the Government will come to their conclusion.
§ Mr. WigginWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that many people living in the West Country have a substantially different attitude to the siting of a Severn-side airport from that of my hon. Friend the Member for Bristol, North-East (Mr. Adley)?
§ Mr. WalkerI thought that that might be a possibility.