HC Deb 26 July 1972 vol 841 cc1811-2
23. Mr. Hastings

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment whether he is satisfied with progress to date on the Maplin Airport project; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Walker

Yes, Sir. I hope to make a fuller statement before the House rises.

Mr. Hastings

Is my right hon. Friend aware that there is a great deal of concern in the private sector and in industry generally that they are being virtually excluded from the planning stage? Is he also aware that there is a good deal of experience and knowledge on this project which is being wasted? How does he think we shall realise the export potential from the design of this airport—which is very considerable, as the French have already shown—unless there is a full and comprehensive partnership with industry?

Mr. Walker

I have made it clear in the past that we should organise the development of the airport in the public sector. That is still my belief.

Mr. Crosland

The hon. Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings)was a leading member of the Cublington lobby and his solicitude for the development of Maplin may not be entirely disinterested. [HON. Members: "Withdraw."] Will the Minister assure the House that when he makes his statement—

Mr. Hastings

On a point of order. The right hon. Gentleman has made some kind of accusation against me. My Question was entirely disinterested. I want to see the airport succeed. What does the right hon. Gentleman mean?

Mr. Crosland

I should have thought that my meaning was patently clear. I said that the hon. Gentleman was a leading member of the Cublington lobby which was determined that the airport should be at Foulness regardless of what the people of Foulness thought. Therefore, his solicitude for Foulness is not disinterested. Will the Secretary of State assure us that, when he makes his statement, he will have taken the fullest account of all the representations made to him by the local authorities concerned, both generally and in particular, about the alignment of the first runway?

Mr. Walker

Yes, Sir.

Sir S. McAdden

While appreciating the touchiness of my hon. Friend the Member for Mid-Bedfordshire (Mr. Hastings), who represents the Cublington area, may I say that I am interested in ensuring that the minimum inconvenience is caused to my constituents? May I have my right hon. Friend's assurance that environmental considerations will predominate over all other considerations, including finance, in the case of Maplin as they did in the case of Cublington?

Mr. Walker

Yes, Sir.