§ 7. Mr. Allasonasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will now designate Luton airport under the Civil Aviation Act 1971, in view of the excessive volume of flights both by day and night.
§ 28. Mr. Ian Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will take powers to control the volume of air traffic using Luton by designating the airport under the Civil Aviation Act 1971.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisAs I said on 1st April in reply to a similar question by the right hon. Member for Welwyn and Hatfield (Lord Balniel), I see no justification for designation at present.—[Vol. 871, c. 287.]
§ Mr. AllasonHas the Minister studied the report of the inquiry on Luton airport in 1972, when the inspector found that the volume of traffic in 1971 was intolerable? The traffic is now so much greater that, unless designation takes place, as it continues to grow it will be more and more intolerable.
§ Mr. DavisThe hon. Gentleman seems to think that designation in itself will solve the problem of noise. That simply will not happen. My Department constantly confers and considers the situation with the Luton authorities. I have no reason to believe that they have not undertaken their responsibilities properly in this respect.
§ Mr. StewartIs the hon. Gentleman aware that Hertfordshire County Council has withdrawn its representatives from the Luton Airport Consultative Committee because Luton Corporation does not consult?
§ Mr. DavisMy information is that that is not so. What the Hertfordshire County Council decides to do is entirely a matter for that council.
§ Mr. HeseltineIs the Minister considering' the expansion of Luton beyond the present level as an alternative to development at Maplin?
§ Mr. HeseltineIs it in the review?
§ Mr. DavisIt is a matter which falls within the scope of the review. I have already said, in an answer to an earlier Question which the hon. Gentleman apparently chose not to hear, what the Government's position is.