§ 3.23 p.m.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy 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 why no British airline operator has been invited to serve on the committees at present considering aspects of the proposed Maplin Sands Airport.
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the British Airports Authority and the Department of Trade and 1132 Industry are represented on the Progress Review Committee, which considers all aspects of the Maplin project. My right honourable friend is considering, in consultation with his right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, the appointment of a further member connected with civil aviation.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, I thank my noble friend for that reply. May I ask whether he agrees that it is important for the British airlines to be involved in Maplin Sands at an early stage, if the Government are serious about this project? Secondly, may I ask my noble friend when the various committees which are studying at the moment will report, and whether those reports will be published?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, my right honourable friend is well aware that it is important to have as many consultations as possible. As I have said, he is considering how best to achieve what is wanted. The reports of the Progress Committees will be for my right honourable friend's advice alone, and I do not think he will be publishing the detailed reports of each committee. However, he will be reporting what he is going to do.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, the noble Lord has said that a further member will be appointed who will be connected with civil aviation. But we are here concerned with the airline operators. Can he give an assurance that this additional member will in fact be a representative of the airline operators?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTON; Not necessarily, my Lords.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, may I press the noble Lord on this point? Is it not absolutely inconceivable that decisions should be taken here without taking into proper account the views of those who will have to operate from the airport?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the members of the committees with whom my right honourable friend is consulting will do everything possible to design a first-class airport, and I think that on this the Civil Aviation Authority will be able to advise as well as other people.
§ LORD WYNNE-JONESMy Lords, is the noble Lord a little hesitant on this matter because the airline operators do not approve of this strange scheme?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONNo, my Lords. I am hesitant only because my right honourable friend has not finally made up his mind.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, while we are very pleased to hear that the noble Lord's right honourable friend has not yet made up his mind and that the Foulness scheme may not, after all, go through, and while that will give great satisfaction to many people, will he give an assurance that the additional member will be someone who is well aware of the commercial and technical problems of operating an airline?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the noble Lord, has read into my words something that I never in the wildest realms of imagination said. My right honourable friend is still having consultations with his friends and advisers about what other members might be put on the committee. About Maplin Sands there is no possible doubt in our minds at all. When we have a well-designed airport, that will be amply evident to all the airlines which are operating.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, is the noble Lord aware that these questions and answers have given rise to a little confusion? Does he recall that the words of the noble Ear], Lord Kinnoull, were, "if the Government are serious about this project"? Can the noble Lord assure us that the Government have made up their minds that the airport shall be at Maplin, and that they are serious about this project?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, the Question was about a committee member.
§ LORD LEATHERLANDMy Lords, will the noble Lord answer my question? Do the Government still stand by their decision to go ahead with this project?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, I think my right honourable friend has made it amply clear, and I can only endorse what he said.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, we do not wish to press the noble Lord too much, and he is having a difficult time. But perhaps since he may have created some misunderstanding, he can just say whether there is any possibility of a change of policy, which is the question my noble friend Lord Leatherland was asking.
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONMy Lords, so far as I am aware—and I think I would be aware—there is no change of policy at all.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, will my noble friend agree that one of the committees which is sitting at present is examining the siting of the runways? If that is so, will he agree that it is very important to have a member from the airlines, who could offer a lot to this committee?
§ LORD MOWBRAY AND STOURTONYes, my Lords. As the noble Earl knows, my right honourable friend has circulated the documents to all interested parties. He has asked for information and advice to be sent back to him quickly, because he would like, if possible, to come to on opinion by next month.