§ 3.23 p.m.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy 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 there will be opportunity to debate the report on Heathrow Airport made by the Metra Consulting Group before any Government decisions on the recommendations therein are made.
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, the noble Baroness, like any other Member of your Lordships' House, is entitled to put down on the Order Paper any subject for debate, by a Motion or an Unstarred Question. Subjects for debate are, of course, customarily arranged through the usual channels.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYYes, my Lords, but I do not think that really answers the Question on the Order Paper. Could the noble Earl answer specifically what I have asked? I have not asked whether a private Member can put down a Question. I have asked whether there will be opportunity for debate before the Government take any decision on this report.
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, I am fully aware of what the noble Baroness put down on the Order Paper and I thought I had answered it. If what she meant was will the Government initiate a debate, I am bound to tell her that at the moment that is not our intention. But of course that does not prevent the noble Baroness from putting down for debate any subject she wishes.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, may I ask the noble Earl whether we shall be given advance information of the date of the publication of this report, or will it be necessary to put down a Question about that?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, the report is not one which is to be published as such, but, as I have told the noble Baroness on previous occasions, it will be circulated to those interested and copies will be placed in the Libraries of your Lordships' House and of another place.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, will the House be informed in advance of the date when this report will be made?