§ Lord TREFGARNEasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they propose to press forward with their policy of transferring airlines from Heathrow to Gatwick, having regard to the present difficulties with the instrument landing system at Gatwick and the work in progress on the parking areas and taxiways.
§ Baroness STEDMANSome minor delays and inconvenience may have been experienced at Gatwick in recent weeks as a result of the routine testing of the instrument landing systems and maintenance work on the parking areas and taxiways. These activities, which are normally carried out in the off-peak season, are a recurring feature of airport operation. They do not suggest a change in the policy of transferring traffic from Heathrow to Gatwick, which the Government intend to pursue in close consultation with the British Airports Authority, Civil Aviation Authority and others concerned to ensure among other things that all relevant operational factors continue to be taken into account.