§ Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make public the options he decides to take forward following the decision-making process outlined in the consultation paper, Appraisal Framework for Airports in the South East and Eastern Regions, to reduce the potential for blight and developmental delays. [116885]
§ Mr. MullinAs I stated in my answer to the hon. Member on 14 March 2000,Official Report, column 116W, the options will be appraised through the process of successive sifts, and following completion of the study there will be a public consultation on the options arising from it. In advance of that consultation, it would be premature to comment on the status of any option.
229WThe approach adopted in this study is consistent with my Department's Code of Practice on the Dissemination of Information during Major Infrastructure Developments. Releasing information in the earliest stages of a possible project, in advance of final options, could result in unnecessary and lengthy blight, as well as multiplying uncertainty and anxiety.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment the South East and East of England Air Study will make of work done by the Runway Capacity to serve the South-East Working Group. [116887]
§ Mr. MullinThe final terms of reference for the South East and East of England Regional Air Services Study make it clear that in undertaking the study it will be necessary to take advantage, where appropriate, of the technical work done on the options examined by the Working Group. As my right hon. Friend the Member for Hamilton, North and Bellshill (Dr. Reid) indicated in his announcement on 11 March 1999,Official Report, columns 360-61W, the study has started from the position that nothing is ruled in or ruled out.
I announced publication of the final terms of reference to the House on 9 February 2000, Official Report, column 106W. Copies are available in the House Libraries.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the South East and East of England Air Services Study will include an assessment of the effects of growth of aircraft movements at airports in the South East and East of Manchester Airport. [116886]
§ Mr. MullinForecasts of future aircraft movements at airports in the South East and East of England used in the assessment of options in the South East and East of England Regional Air Services study (SERAS) will take into account potential capacity gains at other airports including Manchester Airport.
§ Sir Paul BeresfordTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if, in announcing new housing development for the South East, an assessment was made of the effects of any increases in runway capacity at South East airports. [116889]
§ Ms Beverley HughesNo assessment has been made of the effects of airport proposals which are not covered in current permissions or development plans. The South East and East of England Regional Air Services study is examining a wide range of options to address changes in demand for air services. In doing so it will, among other impacts, assess regional planning guidance implications and urbanisation impacts, including housing, of airport development options. Following completion of the study, we shall consult on a shortlist of options. After decisions have been taken on airport development, any implications for housing provisions will be taken into account in future revisions of housing rates in the light of the monitoring and review arrangements set out in draft Regional Planning Guidance for the South East and East Anglia.