HL Deb 16 October 1986 vol 480 cc906-7

3.3 p.m.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the light of experience of the operation of the relevant section of the M.25, and of the economic position of the civil aviation industry, they have reconsidered their decision to overrule the decision of the Civil Aviation Authority to grant a licence for the operation of a helicopter service between Heathrow and Gatwick.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, the Government are prepared to look again at the need for a scheduled helicopter passenger service should the matter come before them, but experience to date seems to show that the coach service links are so far providing an efficient alternative service.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that modestly hopeful reply. May I ask whether the Government will among other things consider the possibility of operating the helicopter service at a somewhat higher altitude than previously, thus mitigating the alleged nuisance of noise on the ground? As regard the coaches, will my noble friend and his right honourable friend consider operating them airside to airside—that is, from one aircraft direct to another—and in that way cut out the need for passengers to go through customs and immigration twice?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, we shall keep under review all the factors, such as traffic flows on the M.25 and developments in helicopter technology. However, in principle it is up to an operator to re-apply for a licence should circumstances change. As regards the second part of my noble friend's supplementary question, I shall draw his remarks to the attention of my right honourable friend.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, does the noble Viscount recall that when this matter was last raised, on 12th June, there was general pressure from all parts of the House that the helicopter service should be reinstated? There was also criticism of the surface transport. A Statement was made from the Government Front Bench that a review had been undertaken of the M.25 and also of traffic management and that a report was expected at the end of the month. Has that report been presented and can it be published?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, my honourable friend the Minister responsible for roads and traffic announced on 20th August the outcome of the study by the consultants which was commissioned in May and which dealt with congestion on the M.25. Your Lordships may be interested to know that since the ending of the helicopter service 98.5 per cent. of all Speedlink journeys have been completed within 10 minutes of the scheduled time.