§ 2.41 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERYMy 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 are now able to be any more precise than was the Lord Privy Seal on April 26, 1971, when he said that the first runway at Foulness "should be operational by about 1980".]
4§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (LORD SANDFORD)My Lords, there is nothing to be gained by trying to be more precise at this time. If we can make the airport operational before 1980 we shall certainly do so.
§ THE EARL OF CORK AND ORRERYMy Lords, when my noble friend the Lord Privy Seal made his announcement (is my noble friend not in agreement with this?) he was probably guessing. He guessed at a date some nine years ahead. Is my noble friend aware that of those nine years, nine months have now passed? That is one-twelfth of the total time. Is it not now possible to be slightly more precise?
§ LORD SANDFORDMy Lords, I made clear in my previous answer to my noble friend that there are at least six major separate considerations which are under way at the moment, all of which have to be resolved before one can be any more precise.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he is yet able to say what will be the total cost of this project, if it ever conies to fruition, including the cost of the additional road and other access routes?
§ LORD SANDFORDNot yet, my Lords, and not without notice.
§ LORD WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, can the noble Lord tell the House whether there is reasonable prospect for the country to take hope that the Government will not proceed with this scheme?
§ LORD SANDFORDNo, my Lords. I think I made it quite clear from my Answer that we are determined to make the airport operational by 1980, and before 1980 if possible.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, are the Government still absolutely convinced, in the light of new technical developments that allow greater usage of existing airports, and future technical developments regarding short-range take-off, that this airport will still be necessary?
§ LORD SANDFORDYes, my Lords, we still remain convinced.
§ THE EARL OF BUCKINGHAMSHIREMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that, even when the first runway at Foulness is made operational, no airline will make use of it until such time as there are full facilities for passengers, cargo, maintenance and road and rail access?
§ LORD SANDFORDYes, my Lords—and also, of course, transport links between the airport and the capital city.