§ 5. Mr. Robert JacksonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make it his policy that there should be no new airfield on a green field site in the south-east.
§ Dr. MawhinneyLord Parkinson said in 1990 that a major new airport on a virgin site in the south-east was unlikely to be realistic or acceptable. I agree with that view. Regional planning guidance holds Oxfordshire to be an area of restricted development, and it is hard to see how such a proposal could be consistent with that guidance.
§ Mr. JacksonI thank my right hon. Friend for that answer. I welcome his reaffirmation of long-standing Government policy restricting growth in Oxfordshire. Will he confirm that, as it is a private proposal that is not sponsored by the Government, the developers will have no access to compulsory purchase powers?
§ Dr. MawhinneyI confirm that the proposal is not sponsored by the Government. The Government do not sponsor airport proposals. My hon. Friend is right to say that the promoters which are not statutory bodies do not have compulsory purchase powers.
§ Mr. MackinlayWill the Secretary of State make a statement to the House on his press release last week in which he announced an intensification in the use of Heathrow airport? Are not the Government craven in their support for BAA—[Interruption.] Oh yes, they are. Does that not have clear ramifications for airports in the south-east? BAA, which the Government privatised, monopolises the three London airports. Stansted airport is underused and BAA is trying to get an extra terminal at Heathrow. The Secretary of State is supporting it by supporting the concept of doubling the number of aircraft coming into Heathrow. Did he not issue a press release so 6 as not to embarrass the right hon. Member for Richmond and Barnes (Mr. Hanley) and other hon. Members with constituencies in and around Heathrow airport?
§ Dr. MawhinneyI hope that the hon. Gentleman feels better for getting that off his chest. Last week, I answered a written question in considerable detail. I thought that it was quite a good answer, as did most people who bothered to read it, unlike the hon. Gentleman.
§ Mr. PattenDoes my right hon. Friend recognise that, although his answer to my hon. Friend the Member for Wantage (Mr. Jackson) was extremely helpful, it leaves a question mark over the possibility of a green field international airport in Oxfordshire or any other part of south-eastern or southern England? Would not the answer be for my right hon. Friend to freshen up the noble Lord Parkinson's guidance with a fresh announcement that makes it clear that he rules out the possibility of such an airport in southern or south-eastern England?
§ Dr. MawhinneyI understand clearly the worry that my right hon. Friend and my hon. Friend have expressed, and indeed experienced, about that issue. Subject to the legal advice that I have received, I have been as robust as I am permitted to be.
§ Mr. Tony BanksIs it not absurd to encourage more and more traffic into Heathrow and to talk about the expansion of Heathrow and Gatwick when, for example, Stansted airport, which is a great airport, is underused? Obviously we need more ministerial direction and discussion with the airlines to encourage them there. If we cannot use incentives, perhaps the Minister can use something approaching a big stick.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThere are those who value the importance of Heathrow and Gatwick, and the economic contribution that they make to the country. We got rid of traffic distribution rules some time ago but, subject to that, I agree with the hon. Gentleman that more use could be made of Stansted.