§ Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if his Department's south-east and east of England Regional Air Services Study will include an assessment of the northern runway option at Gatwick. [114344]
§ Mr. Mullin[holding answer 13 March 2000]: As the then Minister for Transport, my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid), announced on 11 March 1999, Official Report, columns 360–61W, the study will examine a wide range of options, including both terminal and runway capacity. The study has started from the position that nothing is ruled in or ruled out. Options will be appraised through a process of successive sifts. Following completion of the study there will be a public consultation on the options arising from it. Until then, it would be premature to comment on the status of any option.