HL Deb 19 February 1969 vol 299 cc815-7

2.40 p.m.

LORD BRAYE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether Silverstone (Northants) is to be on the short list as a possible site for London's Third Airport.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the Roskill Commission hopes to announce before Easter its short list of sites for more detailed investigation. I would suggest that the noble Lord awaits the Commission's announcement.

LORD MACPHERSON OF DRUMOCHTER

My Lords, would the noble Lord confirm, or otherwise, the recent Press reports that Stansted is no longer on the short list as London's third airport?

LORD BESWICK

No, my Lords; I can neither confirm nor deny that there is any truth in that speculation. Indeed, I am not even certain that the list was finalised at the time of this Press speculation.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, can my noble friend say how the leak to the Press occurred a few days ago, the said leak having suggested that Stansted would not be included? Can he say whether this is another case of a working printer having pulled a dummy proof, with the intention of fooling the community and the Press by so doing?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, it is not for me to say whether the hand of Nabarro has stretched as widely as this; but in this case, as in the case of another recent leak, it is the fact that the Commission have had to consult a great many people—experts and organisations—in a number of different areas and it is possible that bits of information have been leaked in that way. But whether those bits add up to the Press report is not for me to say.

EARL HOWE

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the Silverstone motor-racing circuit is one of the finest, fastest and safest in the country to-day and that any change of use will bring much disappointment and frustration to the thousands of motor racing supporters in this country and in Europe? Is he further aware that the Silverstone circuit is a training ground for some of our leading racing drivers to-day, bringing prestige to this country and putting our name on the map all over the world, and thereby directly helping our export drive?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I have no doubt that the noble Earl is absolutely right. I have equally no doubt that, whatever site is eventually recommended or adopted, there will be other people who will be equally disappointed.

LORD BOOTHBY

My Lords, is not inspired prophecy part of the business and the duty of the so-called experts of the national Press?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I am sure there must be some wisdom in that remark.

LORD LEATHERLAND

My Lords, can my noble friend give us an assurance that if the Report of the Commission is to be delayed for some weeks or months, at least as soon as they have made their decision he will give us a list of the three, four or five sites that have been selected for the short list?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, it is not for me to say when the Commission will actually make their announcement, but I know that they are aware of the necessity for the greatest possible speed. My understanding is that they will be announcing four or five sites on the short list before Easter; that full details will then be given of one of those sites, and that about two months after that announcement the detailed public inquiry will begin on that one site. From all information, the Commission are working to schedule and are working most expeditiously.

LORD BRAYE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in view of the great disturbance which an inland project causes, and especially of the advent of the supersonic jet airliners which will be operating in the not too far future, the Roskill Commission could confine its consideration of possible locations for London's third Airport to coastal sites.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I understand that coastal sites have been among the suggestions submitted to the Roskill Commission, but the consideration given to sites of different kinds is entirely one for the Commission.