§ Mr. LawsTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what plans the Government have to reform the allocation of take-off and landing slots at UK airports so as to introduce market mechanisms into allocating such slots; and if he will make a statement. [1366]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Government said in their consultation document "The Future of Aviation", published in December 2000, that they believe that the establishment of a transparent market in slots would be a means of improving the use of slots at congested airports. However, the allocation of slots is subject to European regulation. The European Commission published proposals for a new regulation on 20 June. These do not include the use of market mechanisms for allocating slots, although the Commission has said that it intends to undertake research into the subject. The Government will be consulting the industry about the proposals.