§ Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment. Transport and the Regions if the decision-making process outlined in the Appraisal 203W Framework for Airports in the South-East will allow for public consultation on the options examined during the sifting process. [124628]
§ Mr. Mullin[holding answer 5 June 2000]We shall ensure that the process of sifting will be open to public scrutiny during public consultation on the shortlisted options following completion of the study.
A very large number of options will be considered during the sifting process, which is designed to reduce the options to a manageable number, so that those can be appraised in sufficient detail to support a meaningful public consultation.
To attempt earlier consultations would greatly expand the work required and the length of the overall process; and would result in substantial and prolonged blight, uncertainty and anxiety.
The approach adopted in this study is entirely consistent with my Department's Code of Practice on the Dissemination of Information during Major Infrastructure Developments.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what the timetable is for decisions to be taken after completion of the South-East and East of England Regional Air Services Study in April 2001. [124627]
§ Mr. Mullin[holding answer 5 June 2000]It is expected that the South-East and East of England Regional Air Services Study will be completed by spring or summer 2001. This will be followed by a public consultation on the options arising from it.
The results will feed into an Air Transport White Paper, which will also take account of the Government's decisions in response to the Inspector's report on the Heathrow Terminal 5 Inquiry.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study will examine the effects of an increase in employment in the South East on(a) local businesses and (b) the environment. [124629]
§ Mr. Mullin[holding answer 5 June 2000]Yes—the study will examine and appraise the effects of airport development options on local employment markets and other urbanisation impacts.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the effect of the construction of a new southern-aligned runway at Gatwick Airport on people within the 57 LEQ noise contour, and of the number of people within that contour who would be affected. [124630]
§ Mr. Mullin[holding answer 5 June 2000]As I made clear in my answer to the hon. Member of 30 March 2000,Official Report, column 228W, it is premature to comment on what options are being considered in the South-East and East of England Regional Air Services study.
I can confirm the draft appraisal framework for airports in the South-East and Eastern Regions of England makes provision, during full assessment, for the calculation of 204W population within the 57 LEQ noise contour (16 hour day, average mode) as well as night noise. A simpler assessment will be used in the earlier stages of this study.