HL Deb 09 December 1982 vol 437 cc256-8

3.6 p.m.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My 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 what has been the total cost to public funds and to the British Airports Authority to date of the public inquiries relating to the development of Stansted Airport; and when it is anticipated a decision will be given.

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, the cost to the Exchequer to date of the public inquiries relating to the proposed development of Stansted Airport is approximately £600,000. Expenditure incurred by the British Airports Authority on this inquiry is, of course, a matter for the board. With a substantial part of the hearings still to be completed, it is too early to anticipate the decision date.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, in thanking my noble friend Lord Avon for that reply, may I ask him whether he recalls that it is a little more than 18 years since the Government of the day pronounced in favour of the development of Stansted Airport? In these circumstances, and in view of the expenditure on a number of inquiries since then, is it not time that the Secretary of State put his foot down and demanded that this inquiry be expedited so that a decision can at last be reached?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that intervention, with which I believe we all agree basically. It was in point of fact on 17th December 1979, in the term of office of this present Government, that the then Secretary of State, Mr. John Nott, invited the British Airports Authority to bring forward proposals. Since then there have been a number of other developments, all of which have been taken into account by this inquiry—including, of course, the Heathrow stage which will be starting in January.

Lord Alport

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he can assure us that nothing will be done to prevent those who are opposed to the development of Stansted Airport from having their fair say and putting their case at whatever length is necessary in order to ensure that the interests of, for example, the people of Essex are properly safeguarded?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I am happy to give my noble friend that assurance. There has been nothing rushed in this inquiry, and it will be statutorily carried out.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, may I ask the noble Earl, Lord Avon, whether, equally, he will give an assurance to those of us who have continually tried to secure some relief for Heathrow, and who have believed for 18 years that Stansted is the best bet? Will he be good enough to give us some assurance as well?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I seem to be giving everyone assurances on all kinds of matters. This matter is being pursued very carefully, and, as the noble Lord, Lord Jenkins of Putney, is well aware, the case of Heathrow is to be looked at early in the new year.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, will my noble friend Lord Avon inform my noble friend Lord Alport that the people of Essex have now had longer than 18 years in which to make their views known; and does he not agree that even the slowest-minded among us can generally express our views within that period—or even go to the extent of hiring expensive counsel?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I will be happy to serve as a post office between my two noble friends, although I understand that, at the moment, the Boy Scouts are doing that job and perhaps they would be better employed at it than I.

Lord Mottistone

My Lords, does my noble friend Lord Avon not agree that three times have the people of Essex won their campaign and three times has this come back again; that they have amply conveyed their opinions publicly, and that it is time this came to an end and the idea was dropped?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, we hope to see the end of this particular inquiry in the not too distant future, and I am sure my noble friend will be satisfied.

Lord O'Neill of the Maine

My Lords, will the inquiry include the possibility of developing an airport in the North of England? There are many gateways across the Atlantic into America. Must everything come to London? Could it not, for instance, go to Manchester?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I understand that a consortium led by Manchester Airport has put the case to the inquiry for diversion to regional airports as an alternative to Stansted. The Secretaries of State for Trade and the Environment will reach a final decision in the light of the inspector's report.

Lord Mowbray and Stourton

My Lords, as the M25 becomes nearer to being a complete reality, might not the fears of the people of Essex be somewhat reduced?

The Earl of Avon

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for pointing out that the M25 is nearing completion. We shall of course then hope that the people of Essex are relieved by that motorway.