asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what emergency hospital and surgical facilities are available to cope with any possible disaster at Gatwick Airport; and whether she is satisfied they are adequate.

The South-West Thames Regional Health Authority's major accident plan takes account of the possibility of a disaster occurring at Gatwick Airport. Joint exercises are held with the other emergency services twice a year and arrangements for responding to a major disaster are constantly reviewed. I have no doubt that should the need arise the response of the ambulance and hospital services would be effective.