§ 2.49 p.m.
§ LORD BESWICKMy 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 they will give the figure, at 1974 prices, for development up to 1990 of the Maplin airport, seaport and access routes; and what amounts of this total sum are attributable to the new road corridor and the high-speed train link respectively.
§ THE PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF THE ENVIRONMENT (BARONESS YOUNG)My Lords, the estimates for all aspects of the Maplin project are being reviewed in preparation for my right honourable friend's report to Parliament under Section 2(9) of the Maplin Development Act.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I thank the noble Baroness for that Answer. May I ask her whether it is possible to update into 1974 terms the figures given in 1973, which were based on 1972 values?
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, the new estimates will be based on revised forecasts of air traffic demand in 1990, and on a 1982 opening date for the airport. Therefore they will not be comparable with the figures for expenditure up to 1990 which were given during the passage of the Maplin Development Act.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, are we to gather from the fact that Her Majesty's Government are revising the whole of these estimates that, despite our present economic situation, and despite the fact that the weight of evidence is against it, they intend pressing on with this scheme, regardless of the economic consequences?
§ BARONESS YOUNGMy Lords, as the Maplin Development Act indicates, we shall be bringing a full report to Parliament.