HC Deb 01 June 1981 vol 5 cc639-40
17. Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has any plans to meet the chairman of the British Airports Authority to discuss the planning of future airports policy.

Mr. Eyre

The chairman of the British Airports Authority is well aware of the Government's airports policy, the main elements of which were set out by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Lincoln (Mr. Carlisle) on 13 May in the Official Report at c. 273–275. My right hon. Friend has no plans at present to discuss this further with him.

Mr. McCrindle

I note that reassertion of the Government's airports policy. In the meantime, has the Minister seen the powerful report by the London chamber of commerce advocating reconsideration of the development of a fifth terminal at Heathrow rather than the development of Stansted, which appears to be the policy of the Government and the BAA? Do the Government have a closed mind towards the possible reconsideration of that policy?

Mr. Eyre

The Government have announced their views on the matter. Individuals and associations are entitled to their views. However, the proposal in favour of expanding Stansted is subject to the outcome of the public inquiry. It will be for the inspector at the public inquiry to consider all the relevant factors and the environmental and other implications of any site put forward as an alternative to Stansted.

Mr. McNally

Did the Minister tell the BAA and the airlines that he is fed up with the obsession for the expansion of airports in London and that he wants greater effort to be put into the expansion of regional airports such as Manchester international airport which has 20 million people and half Britain's industry within its natural catchment area?

Mr. Eyre

I share the hon. Gentleman's regional fervour. My Department has been helpful to Manchester and Birmingham airports, to mention only two, in the regional connection. There is a need for a flexible solution to the provision of adequate airport facilities in the South-East which allows for incremental capacity.

Mr. Robert Atkins

Does my hon. Friend agree that there comes a time when we must reconsider the whole basis on which airports are funded? Does he agree that it is worth comparing our airports with examples of new airports and the facilities that they offer, such in the United States? Does he, therefore, accept that his Department and the chairman of the BAA should be giving that matter urgent attention?

Mr. Eyre

I note with interest my hon. Friend's emphasis. In the last year in particular my Department's policy of encouraging the development of regional airports where appropriate has been a distinct practical advantage.

Mr. Adley

Is it improper parliamentary language to say that the Minister's first two answers sounded strangely like ministerial gobbledegook? Is not the question one of national interest and strategic planning rather than of producing another airport which the BAA wants in the South-East? Will the Minister please take on board the fact that the Government and the House should give a lead in laying down guidelines for the BAA? Does he agree that the national interest cannot be left to a planning inspector's decision about whether an airport should be built at Stansted?

Mr. Eyre

The Government's decision followed an examination of existing traffic and the projected growth of traffic. The South-East, on a regional basis, is as entitled to have its problems taken into account as other regions.