§ 13. Mr. John Huntasked the Secretary of State for Trade what recent communication he has had with the London Borough of Bromley with regard to the future use of Biggin Hill Airport.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisMy Department is in touch with Bromley Borough Council about various matters concerning Biggin Hill Airport. Following the publication of the White Paper on airports policy, my officials will now be approaching the council to discuss the airport's future.
§ Mr. HuntIs it not a fact that in its recent letter to the Secretary of State Bromley Borough Council made it clear that it wanted to keep control of the airport and was totally opposed to the proposals in the White Paper? As the British Airports Authority has gone on record as saying that it would want to take over the airport only if the council wished, what is the point of the further discussions that the Under-Secretary has now mentioned? Does that not dispose of the matter?
§ Mr. DavisI do not think that it does, because these are still very early days after publication of the White Paper, which was only on 1st February. I think that it is right that all relevant aspects should be explored by the council and the BAA before a final judgment is made. That is not to say that the BAA will impose its view. It cannot. But the council is right to point out that the Civil Aviation Authority and the Standing Conference on London and South-East Regional Planning supported its idea.
§ Mr. Tim RentonDoes the Under-secretary accept that there is a general over-weighting in the White Paper in favour of airport development in the South-East—
§ Mr. SpeakerThe hon. Gentleman is widening the Question. It is about Biggin Hill.
§ Mr. RentonWith respect, Mr. Speaker, Biggin Hill is only about 15 miles from Gatwick as the crow flies, and 21 they are both covered by the South-East airports policy. I therefore repeat my question to the Under-Secretary about the over-weighting on the South-East airports in the White Paper.