§ Mr. Jesselasked the Secretary of State for Trade what was the cost of the inquiry into the proposal for a fourth terminal at Heathrow airport; when he expects the report of the inquiry to be published; what was the purpose of holding the inquiry in the light of the statement by the Under-Secretary of State for Trade that the expansion of Heathrow was inevitable, Official Report, 12 March, column 19; and to what purpose the findings of the inquiry will be put.
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§ Mr. Clinton DavisMy right hon. Friends expect to receive the inspector's report on the public inquiry into the fourth terminal at Heathrow some time after Easter. I cannot say when the report will be published and it is not possible at this stage to determine the final costs of the inquiry. The purpose of the inquiry was to ensure that all relevant factors, including the demand for air traffic, are taken into account. I can assure the hon. Member that Ministers' decision on the proposal will be reached in the light of the inspector's report.