§ Mr. Anthony Steenasked the Minister for Trade (1) what were the considerations which caused his Department to suspend the time limits for further submissions as originally requested on 21 May in relation to the appeal against the decision of the Civil Aviation Authority not to allow British Midland Airways to compete on the Heathrow-Glasgow and Heathrow-Edinburgh routes; if he will now set new time limits; and if he will make a statement;
(2) if, when fixing a new time table for submissions relating to British Midland Airways' application for licences to fly Heathrow—Glasgow/Heathrow —Edinburgh, he will have regard to the delay of nearly nine months since the appeal was lodged with the Secretary of State, and that the original application to the Civil Aviation Authority was made in February 1981.
§ Mr. SproatThe time limits were suspended because, in response to the Department's letter of 21 May, a number of parties made legal points rather than addressing the substance of the letter. In fairness to all those involved it was decided to suspend the time limits. The arguments put forward by the parties are under urgent consideration.