HC Deb 25 October 1984 vol 65 cc685-6W
Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many representations he has received about the development of a third London airport at Stansted; how many have been (a) favourable to such a development and (b) unfavourable; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Spicer

Twenty one letters have been received since the close of the Stansted/Heathrow terminal 5 public inquiries specifically supporting or opposing the development of Stansted. Of these, 19 have been opposed to the development of the airport.

Mr. Wareing

asked the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the North of England regional consortium about its opposition to the development of a third London airport at Stansted; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Michael Spicer

None. It would not be appropriate for me to discuss the merits of the British Airports Authority's planning application to develop Stansted with any of the parties to the recent public inquiries in view of the Secretary of State for Transport's statutory responsibility for the decision on the planning application.