§ Mr. Geoffrey Johnson Smithasked the Secretary of State for the Environment, in view of the serious environmental effects of the growing congestion at London's existing airports, whether he will reconsider the possibility of developing an airport at Maplin.
§ Mr. Guy Barnett:The Advisory Committee on Airports Policy and the Study Group on South-East airports, which my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade set up in August this year following discussions with the local authorities and other interests concerned, are carefully considering possible long-term options for handling air transport demands in the London area. Environmental issues will be given due weight in this work, and a number of possible sites will be considered.