HL Deb 26 July 1989 vol 510 cc1429-31

2.56 p.m.

Baroness Burton of Coventry asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether, in view of growing disquiet and anxiety about aviation policy, and conflicting views expressed by the Civil Aviation Authority, British Airports Authority plc and the airlines, they will make a general statement on these matters before Parliament rises for the Summer Recess, with particular reference to future runway capacity and the time-scale envisaged for consideration.

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, the Civil Aviation Authority's wide consultations on its current airport capacity and air space studies have given rise to a vigorous debate and it is natural that parties involved should have differing views. We last week received, and are now considering, the first part of the authority's advice on air traffic distribution policy for airports serving the London area. We will announce our conclusions in due course, but that will not be possible before the House rises.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I realise that the Minister has just been handed that Answer, and it is not his fault that it is entirely unsatisfactory. If I might come to the last part of my Question to which the Minister did not even attempt to reply, may I ask him if he knows that Mr. Christopher Tugendhat, when presenting his report, said that additional terminal facilities must be provided at Heathrow and Stansted immediately and a new runway before the year 2000? Is he further aware that Mr. Tugendhat said that if those new terminals were not provided quickly the new runway would be necessary before the year 2000?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am aware of that, because I believe that the noble Baroness asked that question of my noble friend on Monday. He answered it then. I shall have to give the same answer.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, this is a difficult matter to deal with by question and answer. Are the differences between the BAA and the CAA as much in conflict as has been suggested? I have read all the documents. It appears that the BAA says that there should be additional runway space, but that priority should be given to providing adequate air space, whereas, while the CAA wants additional runway space in the South-East, it believes that it must take into consideration the position of regional airports. It recognises that air space is finite and therefore believes that there should be an in-depth inquiry into that matter. The most important thing, surely, is to await the CAA review.

Noble Lords

Question!

Lord Underhill

My Lords, I have done my best!

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I have rather forgotten the question. I said in my original Answer that it is entirely natural that the parties involved should have differing views. We always recognised that we had given the CAA a difficult task to undertake. The authority has taken the view that before offering advice on long-term strategic issues it should carry out some further technical work. I can assure the noble Lord that at present the management of air space—not runways—is the main cause of congestion in the United Kingdom. Additional runways will not help to relieve air space congestion.

Lord Campbell of Alloway

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend whether he has the slight impression that the needle on this record has become somewhat stuck in the groove?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I have a feeling that that is what the noble Baroness thinks.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, is the Minister aware that he was incorrect in his reply? If he looks at the reply given to me on Monday I think he will find that I did not mention what Mr. Tugendhat said. May I ask him whether he is aware that Mr. Tugendhat has said that a new runway must be in use by the year 2000 and that if the additional terminal facilities are not provided quickly at Heathrow and Stansted the new runway will be needed before then? Will the Minister take that on board and consider the last part of my Question?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I shall certainly take it on board. I apologise to the noble Baroness if I misled the House. However I was in the Chamber on Monday and I am sure that I heard Mr. Tugendhat being brought up.

Lord Marley

My Lords, if such a statement is to be made, will consideration be given to equal pay between the employees at Gatwick and at Heathrow?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, that is a very interesting question but I do not think that it has much to do with the one on the Order Paper.

Lord Stoddart of Swindon

My Lords, can we be assured that in relation to the provision of additional facilities and additional runway capacity in the South-East, the environment of the people living around airports and under flight paths will be given equal consideration with the interests of people flying above them?

Viscount Davidson

My Lords, I am sure that that will be the case.