HC Deb 30 November 1987 vol 123 cc591-3
4. Mr. Morgan

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he last met the chairman of the British Airports Authority plc to discuss civil aviation policy.

Mr. Channon

On 17 June.

Mr. Morgan

Will the Secretary of State tell the House what he is proposing to do about the distribution of aviation activity in this country in the light of the severe congestion at airports in the London area and the worsening situation as regards near misses? In particular, will the right hon. Gentleman consider the problems that have arisen as a result of the opening of STOLport and the final 30 miles into or out of STOLport that are outside the terminal manoeuvring area and, therefore, outside the area in which direct assistance can be given by the air traffic controllers to pilots? Will he pay particular attention to the near misses that were reported in The Observer yesterday regarding planes flying into and out of STOLport?

Mr. Channon

I believe that that is a matter for the CAA. Nevertheless, I shall deal with the hon. Gentleman's questions. As regards the question of congestion in general, the House is aware that major developments are already under way at Stansted. Next year a new terminal will open at Gatwick and a major refurbishment of terminal 3 at Heathrow is under way

As regards STOLport and the allegations that have been made, that is something for which the CAA is directly responsible. It has a statutory responsibility for air safety in this country. I shall discuss what the hon. Gentleman said with the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, but if it did not accept that the position at STOLport was satisfactory, it would not have allowed it to proceed.

Mr. McCrindle

When my right hon. Friend next meets the chairman of the British Airports Authority, will he discuss with him the welcome agreement reached—I believe since his previous meeting with Sir Norman Payne—between Britain and the Scandinavian countries on access and capacity? Will he take the opportunity to express the hope that, building on that agreement, competition in air fares between Britain and those important European destinations will be enhanced?

Mr. Channon

I am extremely anxious, as is the whole House, to see a reduction in European air fares. Although my hon. Friend's first points are valid, I must say that so far there has not been much movement on reducing air fares in Scandinavia.

Rev. Martin Smyth

When the Secretary of State meets the chairman of the British Airports Authority, will he mention the concerns of those who travel on the Belfast-Heathrow route about the improved accommodation at Heathrow, which is still overcrowded? Will he try to discover whether a defect in the security vetting at Heathrow does not allow passengers diverted to Edinburgh to get of the plane and telephone those who are waiting for them at London to say that they will be delayed? What is the security problem that does not allow us, having been vetted at Heathrow, to make a telephone call in Edinburgh?

Mr. Channon

The hon. Gentleman makes some important points. I shall discuss them with the chairman and write to the hon. Gentleman.

Mr. Colvin

Will my right hon. Friend acknowledge that in 1976 there was one near-miss for every 18,700 take-offs and landings of commercial aircraft, and that last year there was one near-miss for every 70,600 take-offs and landings? Is it not four times safer to fly today than it was 10 years ago?

Mr. Channon

I would have to check my hon. Friend's figures, but there is no doubt that near-misses are decreasing. I should have made the point when the hon. Member for Cardiff, West (Mr. Morgan) asked his supplementary question, because he — no doubt inadvertently — gave the misleading impression that near-misses were increasing, not decreasing.

Mr. Spearing

In respect of the Secretary of State's helpful reply about STOLport in my constituency, will he acknowledge that the risks apply not only to people in aircraft but to those who live in urban areas? When he meets the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, will he ask whether immediate steps can be taken to ameliorate the position, at least as presented in the newspaper reports? What can be done to expedite the plans already in hand, which will not be completed until the early 1990s? Can they be speeded up?

Mr. Channon

I shall certainly take up that matter with the chairman, whom I shall meet soon. I know of the hon. Gentleman's helpful attitude to all these matters, some of which he may already have discussed with the authority. All aspects of aviation safety regulation are the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority, and I shall discuss with the chairman all the relevant points made today.