§ 2. Mr. Wilkinsonasked the Secretary of State for the Environment what is his estimate of the total cost of constructing Foulness airport to a one runway standard, including communications and compensation for compulsory purchases.
§ Mr. Peter WalkerI am not yet in a position to give such an estimate.
§ Mr. WilkinsonMay I draw my right hon. Friend's attention to the Brancker Memorial Lecture on Air Transport and the Environment which the Chairman of British Caledonian Airways gave on Monday, in which he stated that the estimated cost of Foulness might exceed the cost of the Concorde project for both Governments? Is not this further evidence that enthusiasm for Foulness varies inversely with knowledge and experience of aviation?
§ Mr. WalkerThe Chairman of British Caledonian Airways has a considerable personal interest in the future of Gatwick. Therefore, I read his lecture with interest.
§ Mr. MulleyWhile not wanting to get into that argument, may I say that the right hon. Gentleman has laid down certain policy decisions but have given neither this House nor anybody else any idea of the public expenditure involved. Before getting too far down the road the right hon. Gentleman is going, surely we have a right to know the probable cost.
§ Mr. WalkerI assure the right hon. Gentleman that it is the Government's intention to see that the maximum information is given right the way through the decision-taking. There are alternatives with variable expenditure on the alternatives of communications, routes, siting of the runway and so on. These matters will be fully discussed and made available to the House.