HC Deb 24 July 2002 vol 389 cc1234-6W
Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if the Government are evaluating runway options for Heathrow and Gatwick that will provide additional runway capacity in five years or less; and if he will make a statement. [71900]

Mr. Jamieson

The South East airports consultation document published on 23 July 2002 sets out options for future development of runway capacity in the South East, but none of these options could deliver more runway capacity within five years.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to ensure that London Gatwick maintains a network of full service operators and operations to enable passengers from UK regional points who fly into Gatwick to make connections to a network of world-wide services. [71901]

Mr. Jamieson

It is a commercial choice for airlines to decide which routes they serve. Gatwick airport offers a range of inter-connecting opportunities which enables passengers from UK regional points to make connections to a variety of world-wide destinations.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many take-off and landing slots have been handed back to the airport co-ordination slot co-ordinator at London Gatwick in the last 12 months, broken down by airlines. [71902]

Mr. Jamieson

The information requested is not held by the Department.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many Ministry of Defence airfields have been included in the Government review of UK aviation policy and subsequent consultations; and if he will make a statement. [71801]

Mr. Jamieson

I refer my hon. Friend to the statement made to the House on 23 July 2002 by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport. The use of military airfields is considered in the published consultation documents on regional air services and airports. These documents cover the whole of the UK.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many take-off and landing slots have been bought at London Heathrow and Gatwick in the last 12 months, broken down by company. [71904]

Mr. Jamieson

The information requested is not recorded.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to hold discussions with airlines giving up slots on re-allocating them through the slot co-ordinators for use by regional air services. [71903]

Mr. Jamieson

DfT officials are engaged in ongoing discussions with airlines about regional air services. When an airline gives up a slot, it is returned to the slot pool and allocated by the co-ordinator in accordance with the criteria set out in the Regulations 95–

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the Ministry of Defence about opening up more RAF airfields for civil operations; if such openings will be on a full cost recovery basis; and if they will recognise the obligations on other Government owned airfields. 71905]

Mr. Jamieson

During the preparation of the consultation documents on the Future of Air Transport in the UK, which was published yesterday discussions were held with MOD about the potential commercial use of some of their airfields. The outcome of those discussions is reflected in the consultation documents.

Mr. David Stewart

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether his Department has ensured that in the negotiations with the EU on changes to the slot allocation rules the existing mechanisms to allow for ring fencing of slots and application of public service obligation protection will be maintained after the change in the rules. 1895]

Mr. Jamieson

During Working Group negotiations on the Commission's proposal to amend European Regulation 95–93, the UK will argue that the existing mechanisms available for the ring-fencing of slots for regional air services be maintained.

Per cent
AM PM AM/PM combined
TOC 1999 2000 2001 1999 2000 2001 1999 2000 2001
Chiltern 5.4 2.5 2.4 2.0 0.3 0.6 4.0 1.6 1.6
South Central 5.2 6.2 11.2 2.2 2.7 1.0 3.9 4.7 6.9
Connex South Eastern 3.2 3.7 3.2 1.5 1.9 1.3 2.4 2.9 2.3
Great Eastern 4.1 6.4 3.7 1.2 1.4 1.6 2.7 4.1 2.7
c2c 3.1 1.6 0.3 0.1 1.0 0.6 1.7 1.3 0.5
Silverlink 3.0 9.8 8.1 2.0 3.1 3.4 2.5 6.6 5.9
South West Trains 4.7 7.9 6.3 1.7 1.1 2.5 3.4 4.9 4.6
Thames 0.8 1.9 3.3 2.7 1.9 1.6 1.7 1.9 2.5
Thameslink 4.0 4.4 4.3 2.5 2.7 3.9 3.3 3.6 4.1
WAGN 2.4 2.8 2.3 1.0 1.6 1.6 1.8 2.3 2.0
London Total 3.8 5.1 5.0 1.6 1.8 1.7 2.8 3.6 3.6
Scotrail (Forth Bridge) 1.7 3.1 1.0 4.1 2.9 3.2 2.8 3.0 2.1
Note: The information is only collected for train operating companies serving London and South East commuter lines and one Scotrail commuter line.

Mrs. May

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport which train operating companies have an overcrowding standard as part of their franchise agreement; and what each such standard is. [71062]

Mr. Jamieson

[holding answer 18 July 2002]:All train operating companies are required by their franchise

Mr. David Marshall

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on recent studies undertaken by his Department on UK-US Government aviation policy options and place the findings of such studies in the Library. [71785]

Mr. Jamieson

[holding answer 22 July 2002]: The Civil Aviation Authority have undertaken an analysis of UK-US aviation policy options on behalf of the Department. This study is informing the evaluation of those options. It would not be appropriate to place the CAA study in the Library at this time, as to do so might undermine the UK's position if further bilateral aviation talks were to be held.

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