HL Deb 15 February 1968 vol 289 cc198-200

3.12 p.m.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHYRE

My 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 local residents whose properties may for the first time now be affected by the proposed re-alignment of projected runways at Stansted Airport are to have an opportunity to protest and make representations on the new runways.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND LOCAL GOVERNMENT (LORD KENNET)

My Lords, it will be known to your Lordships that my right honourable friend on January 12, 1968, consulted local authorities and local interests in the area about a proposed realignment of the runways at Stansted. Most of those consulted have now replied to my right honourable friend and many of them have raised the issue posed in the noble Lord's Question. All these replies are now being carefully considered by my right honourable friends.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, arising out of that reply, may I ask when the Government will be in a position to give an assurance that those newly affected by the proposed realignment of runways will have, in the name of justice and fair play, and possibly in the name of the law, the same opportunities as the original citizens affected, who had a chance of making representations at a public inquiry?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, I cannot put any particular date on anything which might be said by the Government, but I repeat what I said in my original Answer, that these matters will be considered since they have been pointed out by the local authorities and other interests.

LORD SILKIN

My Lords, is it not a fact that the Minister has stated definitely that there will be no further inquiry? If that is the case, how is that consistent with his genuinely looking at the representations that have been made and considering them?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, since the consideration of the representations is proceeding in these very days, I hope that the noble Lord will understand when I say that it would be discourteous to those who had made the representations if I were to say any more at this point.

VISCOUNT DILHORNE

My Lords, while welcoming the Minister's statement, which clearly indicates that there may be a possibility of some further inquiry, could the noble Lord say whether or not the consultation to which he referred consisted of more than just the writing of one letter?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, it consisted, first of all, of consultations about how to consult; secondly, the sending of an account of the proposed realignment accompanied by certain maps and supporting data; and it now consists in considering the answers to what had been sent.

LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTER

My Lords, would the Minister agree that when Stansted was originally recommended one of the main advantages was the existing 10,000 ft. runway?

LORD KENNET

My Lords, that is another question, which I should be grateful if the noble Lord would put down for separate answer.