§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) whether his Department will appeal against the European Court ruling on night flights at Heathrow; and if he will make a statement; [9344]
386W(2) if the decision by the European Court on night operations at Heathrow will change Government policy on designation of airports for night operations; if he will consult those companies, groups and individuals who would be most affected by such a change in policy before making any decision; and if he will make a statement; [9357]
(3) what economic research contingent the Government have commissioned into the need for night flights into London and other UK airports; [9494]
(4) what discussions he has had with trade unions representing airline and airport employees following the decision of the European Court of Human Rights on night flights; and if he will make a statement; [9493]
(5) if the European Court ruling on night noise at Heathrow will influence the timing of his Department's decision on the application to impose a designation for night noise purposes on East Midlands Airport; whether this will affect the policy for night operations at other UK airports which are not designated for noise purposes; and if he will make a statement. [9356]
§ Mr. SpellarI refer my hon. Friend to the answer given to my hon. Friend the Member for Putney (Mr. Colman) and the hon. Member for Windsor (Mr. Trend) on 15 October 2001,Official Report, column 875W, and the remarks by the Under-Secretary, my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) during the debate about night flights on 23 October 2001, Official Report, column 47WH. We are studying the judgment carefully before deciding what action, if any, may be necessary. The judgment cannot become final for at least three months from its date of publication on 2 October, and there will be no immediate changes to the present situation at Heathrow or elsewhere. It is not the right time to hold meetings with any interested parties, but this may be possible at a later stage.