§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in the light of the substantial increase in charges to airlines, he will refer the British Airports authority to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TebbitNo. The charges in question have my right hon. Friend's approval. They have been calculated by the authority to meet the new financial target agreed with the Government for the next three financial years and it would be inappropriate to refer this matter to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission. However, my right hon. Friend has not ruled out the possibility that at some future date he may ask the commission to investigate other aspects of the authority's activities under section 11 of the Competition Act 1980.