HC Deb 05 April 1978 vol 947 cc124-5W
Mr. Kenneth Clarke

asked the Secretary of State for Trade whether it is his policy that any developments at East Midlands Airport should be based on its role as a regional airport and not as a gateway international airport.

Mr. Clinton Davis

The Government consider that the development of East Midlands Airport should be related closely to demand, which is forecast to increase to 1½ million passengers a year by 1990, and to the conclusions of the White Paper on airports policy. In the longer term either Birmingham or East Midlands could develop into a gateway international airport, but this will depend on the growth of demand.