HC Deb 31 October 1984 vol 65 cc1107-8W
Mr. David Young

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake not to make any decisions about a third London airport before there has been a debate in the House on Government policy on aviation.

Mr. Ridley

The Stansted-Heathrow terminal 5 planning applications are being dealt in accordance with the planning procedures laid down by the town and country planning legislation. Inspector's reports are not generally published nor comments invited on them in advance of the decisions on the relevant planning applications. The question of a debate is, of course, a matter for my right hon. Friend the Leader of the House.

Mr. Hayes

asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will satisfy himself that civil servants who advise him on the development of Stansted airport do not, by reason of their residence in the south or south-west of London, have a bias in favour of the Stansted site; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Ridley

I am satisfied that none of the civil servants who will advise me on the inspector's report on the Stansted-Heathrow terminal 5 public inquiries have, because of where they live or for any other reason, a personal bias in favour of developing, or not developing, Stansted airport.