HC Deb 15 July 1974 vol 877 cc11-2
9. Mr. Grylls

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether he has any plans for meeting members of the Surrey County Council to discuss the siting of London's third airport.

Mr. Shore

I am well aware of the views of the Surrey County Council. They have been taken into account in the reappraisal of the Maplin airport project which I announced on 21st March.

Mr. Grylls

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the increasing anger of residents in Surrey and other places near Gatwick and Heathrow airports at the possible consequences of the expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick if Maplin is not proceeded with? Will he get on and give us the statement that he promised in writing to give before the recess, and put these people out of their agony?

Mr. Shore

I am aware of the anxieties of and real inconvenience experienced by thousands of people who live near airports, but I repeat my assurance to the House that I still have every intention of making a statement before the recess about the future of Maplin.

Mr. Spearing

Does my right hon. Friend recall that the previous Government's proposals for Maplin, which were not discussed in a White Paper because one was not issued, included proposals for a new town to service this proposed airport? Does my right hon. Friend agree that such a new town would prejudice employment and the social fabric of areas of East London? Will he assure me that the proposal for a new town is not being considered by the Government?

Mr. Shore

I think that the relationship between the new town and Maplin airport is a close one, and a decision on the one would almost certainly be bound up with a decision on the other. As I am not yet in a position to make a statement, I must leave my hon. Friend somewhat unsatisfied.

Dr. Glyn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that my constituents in Windsor and Maidenhead suffer considerably from the noise of aircraft and are very annoyed at any idea that there should be an increase in movements in and out of London Airport? Rather there should be a decrease, and they look forward to an early decision on Maplin as the third London airport.

Mr. Shore

I fully understand the worries of the hon. Gentleman's constituents and many others, but even if a decision to go ahead were made there would still inevitably be a substantial build-up of traffic in the existing London airports over at least another decade.