HC Deb 04 March 1981 vol 1000 c122W
32. Mr. Haselhurst

asked the Secretary of State for the Environment what arrangements he is proposing for meeting the cost of the public inquiry about the development of Stansted airport.

Mr. Heseltine

When planning inquiries are held the general practice is for the Department to meet the costs of providing the inspector and for the local planning authority to meet the costs of accommodation. I am considering my hon. Friend's representations that in this particular case we should pay accommodation costs too and I am prepared to discuss the issues with him without holding out the prospect that we can depart from long-standing practices.