§ 2. Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smithasked the Secretary of State for Trade what are the names of the organisations, other than local authorities, on the National Airports Advisory Council whose interests are wholly environmental.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Clinton Davis)In addition to five local authority associations, the Noise Advisory Council is represented on the Advisory Committee on Airports Policy.
§ Mr. Johnson SmithDoes the hon. Gentleman appreciate that it is a considerable disappointment to many people that the council does not have on it a representative of any independent environmental group? The impression created therefore will be that it is packed full with those who represent officialdom.
§ Mr. DavisI cannot accept that. That is something of a slur on the Noise Advisory Council. The local authority interests concerned represent environmental as well as other interests. We have got the right balance. But I should like to make it clear that I hope that the consultations which follow the issue of the consultative document will be meaningful, as indeed they were when we produced the airports policy White Paper.
§ Mr. PavittBefore asking my question, I hope that my hon. Friend will permit me to extend our felicitations to Mr. Speaker on his birthday. Will my hon. Friend tell me whether the consulta- 1002 tions will lead to a quick response to the terrible environmental noise hazards in constituencies such as mine?
§ Mr. DavisMay I join with my hon. Friend in congratulating Mr. Speaker—[HON. MEMBERS: "Too late."] I missed my opportunity, but then I did not know. You look younger than ever, Mr. Speaker.
Environmental damage is a matter of which the advisory councils and the South-East group are well aware. I assure my hon. Friend that these matters will not be lost sight of.
§ Mr. SpeakerMay I save the time of other hon. Members and say that only those who disagree with the proposition need refer to my birthday?
§ Mr. BowdenHappy birthday, Mr. Speaker.
Whilst accepting the great importance of the environmental question, may I ask the hon. Gentleman whether he agrees that many people in East and West Sussex feel that it would be in the interests of the area as a whole if there were to be an expansion of Gatwick airport?
§ Mr. DavisThe hon. Gentleman has represented one point of view; there are others. Indeed, on Friday I met hon. Members representing Surrey and Sussex constituencies, together with my hon. Friend the Under-Secretary of State for the Environment, to discuss these matters. There is real anxiety about them which we cannot ignore.