§ Mr. Bishopasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consultations he had with, and what representations he received from, the British Airports Authority before he made his recent statement on the future of Gatwick, Stansted and Heathrow Airports.
§ Mr. NobleWe were well aware of the Authority's wish that Heathrow and Gatwick should continue as major international airports for the foreseeable future, and of its view that a possible second runway at Gatwick should continue to be safeguarded. The restraints foreseen at these two airports in the interests of reducing disturbance by noise had already been referred to in my right hon. Friend's statement of 26th April, 1971, on the third London airport. As regards Stansted, we were aware of the Authority's wish to proceed with a limited amount of development and of its view that its future in the longer term was a matter of Government policy.—[Vol. 816, c. 34–44.]