§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has made a decision regarding the new and improved London airport or a new London airport; if he will indicate when he expects to make an official announcement, and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TebbitNo decision has been taken on longer-term airport development in the London area. I will consider the matter when I have the reports of the advisory committee on airports policy 89W and the study group on South-East airports, which I expect to receive shortly. An official announcement will be made as soon as the Government have reached a view on the issues involved.
§ Mr. Haselhurstasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many letters he has received protesting against the construction of a third London airport at Hoggeston, Willingale, Yardley Chase, Stansted, Maplin and Cargley, respectively.
§ Mr. Tebbit[pursuant to his reply. 2 November 1979, c. 707]: By 31 October my Department had received 1,491 letters about the third London airport since the publication of the progress report of the study group on South-East airports on 18 May. 1,275 were concerned with specific sites listed by the hon. Member; almost all were letters of protest. The breakdown is as follows:
Maplin 49 Willingale 103 Stansted 387 Langley 440 Yardley Chase 152 Hoggeston 144