§ Mr. Wolfsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has received the decision of the Civil Aviation Authority on the application by British Caledonian to continue the helilink between Heathrow and Gatwick airports; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Civil Aviation Authority has today announced its decision to grant British Caledonian's128W application. The authority has referred the matter to my right hon. Friend under section 17(1)(d) of the Civil Aviation Act 1982, which requires it to give notice to him of any matter of special interest to him by reason of the fact that it involves noise, vibration, pollution and other disturbance.
My right hon. Friend will now consider the authority's decision and the reasons for it, together with all the evidence submitted to the hearing and the transcript of proceedings. If any interested parties wish to make further representations in the light of the authority's decision, he would be prepared to consider these, provided they are submitted to him by 28 February.