§ Mr. MackinlayTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to promote competition and consumer choice between the principal London airports. [32128]
§ Mr. NorrisThe Government's response to the report of the runway capacity in the south east group stated that they wished to provide the opportunity for the less busy airports in the south-east to develop. Greater choice for consumers is also promoted by the Government's policies for liberalisation of air services. The RUCATSE response highlighted the opening up of Stansted and Luton for transatlantic flights.
The Transport Select Committee report on UK airport capacity, published on 21 May, included a recommendation that, during the present quinquennial review of BAA, the Civil Aviation Authority and Monopolies and Mergers Commission re-examine whether BAA should remain the provider of services to the three main south-east airports, or whether Gatwick and Stansted should be owned and operated separately from Heathrow. The Government will be responding to the TSC report in due course.