§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what representations he has received on plans for a sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport. [43144]
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§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Government are not aware of any plans for a sixth terminal at Heathrow Airport. Nor have we received any representations on plans for a sixth terminal.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how the costs of the Terminal 5 inquiry incurred by BAA are being treated(a) for tax purposes and (b) under the Civil Aviation Authority's regulatory regime. [43145]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe treatment for tax purposes of the costs of the Heathrow Terminal 5 Inquiry is a matter for BAA plc. Under the CAA's regulatory regime, the costs estimated as being incurred during the current quinquennium (1997–98 to 2001–02) are included in the total allowable investment costs which are taken into account in calculating the cap imposed by the CAA on the charges to airlines levied by BAA. The cap will however be reviewed by the CAA before the end of the quinquennium if Terminal 5 does not go ahead, or if, for reasons connected to the planning permission granted, it proceeds on a significantly different scale.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will review the Monopolies and Mergers Commission decision to accept BAA's figures on expenditure on Terminal 5 at Heathrow, allowing BAA to keep profits to pay for Terminal 5; and if he will make a statement. [43442]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Civil Aviation Authority determined, on the basis of recommendations from the Monopolies and Mergers Commission, that the calculation of the price cap to be applied to BAA plc's London Airports for the period 1997–98 to 2001–02 should take into account the costs estimated as being incurred in the planning of Terminal 5 at Heathrow. The Government have no power to instruct the CAA to reopen its decision, nor has the CAA the power to do so unilaterally. However, with BAA's agreement, the price cap is to be reviewed by the CAA before the end of the five-year period if Terminal 5 does not go ahead, or if, for reasons connected to the planning permission granted, it proceeds on a significantly different scale.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will ensure that the consortium of local authorities opposing Terminal 5 at Heathrow are able to make closing submissions to the inquiry. [43455]
§ Mr. CabornIt has been a long established feature of planning inquiries that the main parties make closing submissions and meet their own costs. It is for the Local Authorities Against Heathrow Terminal 5 (LAHT5) Group to decide how much they wish to allocate for this purpose.
§ Dr. TongeTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which employees of his Department appeared as expert witnesses for BAA at the public inquiry into Terminal 5 at Heathrow. [43452]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonNone. However, I understand that a number of independent consultants and National Air Traffic Service (NATS) Ltd. employees have appeared as expert witnesses for both the Department and BAA on various matters.
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