asked the Secretary of State for Trade if, in his consideration of the need for a third London airport, he has examined, in terms of cost-effectiveness, the possibility of expanding facilities at Heathrow and Gatwick for passengers destined for the London area, in preference to investment at a green field site or at Stansted.

I will await the reports of the advisory bodies which are currently considering the whole question of the need for a third London airport before coming to my conclusion on these matters.