HC Deb 08 April 1974 vol 872 cc14-5
17. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will ensure that no final decision on any new airport in South-East England is reached until the Civil Aviation Authority has completed its current studies on and search for a national airports plan.

Mr. Shore

The Civil Aviation Authority is participating in the review which I announced on 21st March. The authority's regional studies are well advanced and the work on them will be available in the review.—[Vol. 870, c. 1334–40.]

Mr. Adley

Does the right hon. Gentleman agree that it never made sense, and still does not, to pre-empt a decision about one particular airport—particularly as it is the biggest decision likely to be taken for generations in this context—until the search for a national airports policy is completed? Will the Government insist that regional policy plays an important part in this search?

Mr. Shore

I can certainly give the latter assurance, but it is odd for the hon. Gentleman to rebuke me for a policy which was precisely the one followed by the last Government, which he supported.

Mr. Alexander Fletcher

Will the study include the possibility of a central Scotland airport?

Mr. Shore

It will consider all airports which serve the regions and the nations outside the south-east of England.