§ 3.0 p.m.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will make arrangements for Peers to visit the Coastal Artillery installations at Shoeburyness in the near future.]
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (LORD SHACKLETON)My Lords, I assume that the noble Lord is referring to the Shoeburyness Range and the associated facilities. Her Majesty's Government would be very pleased to arrange through the usual channels for Members of this House (and indeed of the other place) to visit the Range. There are, in fact, no Coastal Artillery installations at Shoeburyness.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask him whether it would be possible for this visit to take place before the Order for the Stansted Airport is tabled in the House? Members of both Houses could then satisfy themselves on the validity of the estimate of £25 million which is required to remove this Range, if an alternative site were to be provided there for an airport.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I congratulate the noble Lord on keeping his supplementary in order. I will arrange, if he wishes, that this visit takes place at the earliest possible opportunity. While giving no undertaking, I think it is very likely that it will take place before any Order is laid.
§ LORD BYERSMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that I am delighted with that answer?