§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for the Environment how many days were spent, how many witnesses heard, and what are the costs in total to date of the inquiry into matters connected with the Gatwick airport inquiry.
§ Mr. FoxThe inquiry into the British Airports Authority's application for planning permission to expand Gatwick airport opened on 29 January and closed on 11 July this year. There were 75 sitting days and 121 witnesses were heard. The costs to date to the Department of the Environment have been about £65,000, excluding some establishment costs not separately charged. I am unable to provide information about costs incurred by the parties.