§ Mr. GreenwayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport. Local Government and the Regions what plans he has to support and facilitate the expansion of regional airports. [58581]
§ Mr. JamiesonA New Deal for Transport (1998) said that the Government would
encourage the growth of regional airports to meet local demand for air travel where consistent with sustainable development principlesin order tomaximise the contribution they make to national and regional economies; relieve pressure on congested airports in the south east of England; and reduce the need for long surface journeys (particularly by road) to south east airports.Before the summer recess, we aim to publish a series of regional consultation documents on airports and air services that will set out alternative options for how these aims might be achieved. Responses to the consultation will be used to inform the publication of an air transport White Paper, planned for late this year.