§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he plans to publish the Government's policy on airports; and if he will make a statement. [123156]
§ Mr. MullinWe intend to produce an Air Transport White Paper which will provide a framework for the future of aviation and airports in the UK.
The White Paper will not be produced until after we have taken a decision on the planning application for Terminal 5 at Heathrow. The planning inquiry concluded in March 1999 and the Inspector indicated that he expects to submit his report to the Secretary of State within two years. The Secretary of State will then need to consider the report and the Inspector's recommendations carefully before making decisions.
The White Paper will also be preceded by a wide-ranging consultation document on aviation and airports; and by public consultations on the findings of the studies the Department is undertaking on air services and airports in all parts of the UK.