HC Deb 20 June 1973 vol 858 c137W
63. Mr. Spearing

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what proportion of his estimated cost of £175 million for the reclamation of the Maplin Sands he estimates is attributable to reclaiming land for the proposed airport; and what his estimates are of the total cost of the airport to the British Airports Authority and the income he expects it to receive per year after five years of airport operation.

Mr. Onslow

The attribution of the reclamation costs will be subject to a formula to be determined by the Secretary of State for the Environment after the Maplin Development Bill becomes law. A rough estimate indicates that about £115 million of the estimated £175 million may represent expenditure on airport land. No estimate of total British Airports Authority costs can be made at this stage as additional costs will be incurred throughout the life of the airport. No estimate can yet be made of BAA's income as this will depend on decisions yet to be taken on services at Maplin and pricing policy; but we are determined that over time the airport will not be a burden on the taxpayer.