§ Mr. PrescottTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what attempts were made by his Department to consult about levels of public safety with the Civil Aviation Authority and Plymouth city council before the approval in 1987 of the extension and reorientation of Plymouth city airport main runway; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinAerodrome licensing and aircraft safety are the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. The extension and realignment of Plymouth airport's main runway required planning permission and had to meet the authority's licensing criteria. I understand that there were extensive consultations between the authority and Plymouth city council prior to the extension and realignment of the runway.