§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on progress in the privatisation of municipally owned airports.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAll the larger municipal airports are now owned by Companies Act companies. At present, shares in the companies are wholly owned by local authorities. My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is keen to see the authorities sell shares or otherwise involve the private sector wherever it makes commercial sense to do so.