§ Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement outlining the Government's proposals for the future control of Liverpool airport after local government reorganisation takes place.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Local Government Bill provides for the transfer by order of metropolitan county council interests in airports to the districts comprising any such county, provided that those districts can agree among themselves both on the operation of the airport by a committee of all or any of them and the transfer or division of the interests. Failing such agreement, the interest will be transferred by order to the relevant passenger transport authority. It is therefore for the districts within Merseyside county council to decide together whether they can agree on terms for assuming control of Liverpool airport after abolition of the Merseyside county council.
§ Mr. Allan Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement about Government policy on Liverpool airport.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerIt is Government policy to encourage the maxium use of regional airports. Liverpool airport is no exception, and has received substantial Government capital expenditure allocations for its rationalisation.