asked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) in the light of the latest traffic indications, what is the Government's policy in regard to the development of a third London airport;(2) if there have been any changes in his policy regarding the use of Stansted Airport, in the light of the latest future traffic indications since he announced that Maplin is not to proceed.

Following the decision to abandon the Maplin airport project we are now considering the views of local authorities and other organisations as the basis for more detailed consultations on the way in which future London area air traffic should be handled. No decisions concerning the development of a third. London airport or the future of Stansted will be taken in advance of these consultations.

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what observations he has had from the British Airports Authority on the subject of a third London airport since he announced that Maplin will not proceed.

The British Airports Authority is contributing to the work which is in hand on how future London area traffic should be handled.