HC Deb 09 June 1971 vol 818 cc1035-6
30. Mr. Allason

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many letters he has recveived regarding the protection of the environment.

Mr. Peter Walker

A large number, but, due to their diversity, I cannot give a precise figure.

Mr. Allason

Can my right hon. Friend say how many of those letters relate to noise disturbance from Luton Airport-As the situation is rapidly getting out of hand there because the airport traffic is constantly expanding, and as my constituents are looking to the Government for protection, could my right hon. Friend define to what extent he is concerned for the environment in this matter?

Mr. Walker

I have received a large number of letters on this topic relating to Luton airport, and my hon. Friend will know that the Government have decided to take powers so that they have greater control over local authority airports in future.

Mr. Raphael Tuck

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been considerable concern also about the increased noise from aircraft from Leavesden airport in my constituency, and has he any comment to make about that?

Mr. Walker

I have had fewer letters from there than I have had from Luton, but I take note of what the hon. Gentleman says.

Rear-Admiral Morgan-Giles

Will my right hon. Friend fish out from among the many letters which he has received the one dated 25th May from the Mayor of Winchester, Councillor Stanley Steel, and will he reply to him on the subject of preserving the ancient office of mayor in the cities and boroughs of this country?

Mr. Walker

I am not quite sure of the environmental effects of the mayor's office.

Mr. Crosland

When the right hon. Gentleman replies to the numerous letters which he receives, will he kindly not enclose with his replies copies of the various fulsome articles written about him by naive journalists in the Evening Standard and other newspapers, in which all that the right hon. Gentleman can find to do is to claim credit for policies wholly initiated by the previous Government?

Mr. Walker

If the previous Government had fulfilled a few policies instead of just initiating discussions, they might have got somewhere.