§ Mr. Colemanasked the Secretary of State for Trade whether, in view of the opposition being raised to the Government's proposals to develop Stansted as the site of a third international airport, he will investigate the possibility of developing Severnside for this purpose, as is currently being suggested by those in local government in Wales.
§ Mr. EyreThe report of the Advisory Committee on Airports Policy considered the possibility of developing Severnside but concluded that a new airport there would involve a huge commitment of public funds with no guarantee that the capacity would be needed. A new Severn tunnel and bridge might be required, Cardiff and Bristol airports would eventually have to close and the attractiveness of the airport to those travelling to and from other parts of the country would be limited. The Government have decided, in the light of this advice, that this idea should not be pursued.