§ 5.21 p.m.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government when they will be able to announce decisions on a London civil airport policy; whether Heath Row is to be London's main civil terminal; when it is expected to be available for general use and whether it is intended that peace-time control of aircraft movement in the London zone shall be a Civil Aviation or Royal Air Force responsibility.]
§ THE MINISTER OF CIVIL AVIATION (LORD WINSTER)My Lords, considerable progress has been made in deciding London civil airport policy, and I shall be making a further statement at an early date. Heath Row is to be London's main civil terminal. It is expected that three runways will be in use there for civil aviation next summer. Peace-time control of aircraft movement in the London zone is under active discussion by an Inter-Departmental Committee.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYELords, as a supplementary question I should like to ask whether when the noble Lord comes to make his statement it will include positive decisions on this London airport policy question. I should also like to ask him whether "active discussion" is an entirely satisfactory state of affairs to the Minister of Civil Aviation, or whether he wants a decision now that pence-time control shall be instituted on a civil basis.
§ LORD WINSTERMy Lords, the statement of policy to which I have referred will contain a definite decision on this point, and, taking all the circumstances into consideration, I am satisfied with the position which has been reached by the active discussion on the part of the Inter-Departmental Committee to which I have referred.