§ Mr. Snapeasked the Secretary of State for Transport if, in view of the continuing growth of traffic at Birmingham international airport, he will now reconsider the granting of gateway status at that airport.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerI welcome the traffic growth at Birmingham international airport. I do not propose to make any changes in the policy on gateway international airports set out in the 1985 airports policy White Paper, Cmnd. 9542. However, the Government will not allow the question of gateway status to inhibit constructive negotiations with any foreign Governments which have airlines interested in serving Birmingham international airport.