HC Deb 01 February 1988 vol 126 cc684-5
2. Mr. Leighton

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to receive a report from the Civil Aviation Authority on the future of the London city airport.

The Secretary of State for Transport (Mr. Paul Channon)

I am not expecting any such report.

Mr. Leighton

The Secretary of State will be aware of the troubles of the London City airport and of the resentment of many local people to its intrusion and noise. He will also know that an assurance was given that jets would not use the airport. Indeed, that was a condition of planning permission. Is he aware that the operators have already applied for an extension of the runway and are hell-bent on introducing jets? What assurances can he give to the people of Newham that that danger will not be inflicted upon them?

Mr. Channon

If there were any proposal to have jets at London City airport, that would first be a matter for the airport owners. It would involve an entirely new planning application, and no such application has been made.

Mr. Colvin

Will my right hon. Friend acknowledge that some jets flying today are quieter than the turboprops in operation? As we have a unique facility in the City's STOLport, and a unique aircraft in the British Aerospace 146 that could use it, it seems daft to build a suspension bridge directly under the flight path. I understand that my right hon. Friend has conducted an inquiry into the construction of that suspension bridge. Will he say when the House may expect to hear the results of that inquiry?

Mr. Channon

I note what my hon. Friend says. I have just received the inspector's report. It will take some time to consider, but we will try to he as speedy as we can. To re-emphasise what I said to the hon. Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Leighton), if there were a proposal for these new types of aircraft to use the London City airport, there would have to be a further planning inquiry.

Mr. Spearing

As my hon. Friend the Member for Newham, North-East (Mr. Leighton) has pointed out, jets would be unwelcome at the airport. Whether or not jets are used, is the Secretary of State aware that the London docklands railway extension, which will be discussed in Committee shortly, does not go to the airport at all? Is that not an example of the haphazard way in which strategic planning matters are now being dealt with? Does he agree that it would have been better if there had been a strategic planning authority for London, so that problems such as that would not occur?

Mr. Channon

No, Sir. I do not think that there is any evidence that a strategic planning authority, as the hon. Gentleman describes it, would have done any differently. It is true that the railway extension does not go exactly to the airport, but it will be extremely convenient for the airport and it will be widely welcomed by airport users.