§ Mr. Adleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the main design criteria for airports which have changed since the construction of London Heathrow; and what relevance these design changes have to the stated shortage of handling capacity at Heathrow.
§ Mr. OnslowI am advised that many of the design criteria for airports have changed in the last 25 years, notably the need for cross runways. At Heathrow the scope for expanding the ground facilities is limited by the original incorporation of cross runways. There have also been very significant changes in environmental factors.