§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage greater use of regional airports.
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§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 26 April 1989]: The 1985 airports policy White Paper (Cmnd. 9542) noted that the Government had maintained a consistent policy of encouraging the maximum use of regional airports. They have a role to play in relieving pressure on the London airports. The Government encourage their growth and development.
We provide special borrowing allocations for municipal airports whose expansion is justified.
We continue, both in the EC and in bilateral negotiations, to pursue policies of liberalisation in order to maximise the scope for regional air services.
§ Mr. SoamesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on future runway capacity in the south east.
§ Mr. Peter Bottomley[holding answer 26 April 1989]: The Civil Aviation Authority is due to provide my right hon. Friend in July with advice on this and other aspects of airport and airspace capacity.