§ The Earl of Cork and Orreryasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they have undertaken to pay the costs and, if so, whose costs and on what scale, of the forthcoming Stansted Airport Inquiry.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of the Environment (Lord Bellwin)As I said in response to my noble friend on 21st May, (Vol. 420, cols. 1012–1014), the Government will, in accordance with normal practice, pay the cost of providing the inspector and his assessors. In addition, in this exceptional case, the Government will also pay the costs of accommodation for the inquiry which would otherwise fall on the local planning authority, that is, the Uttlesford District Council. How much the accommodation will cost will depend on what premises are used and how long the inquiry lasts.