asked the Secretary of State for Trade what consideration he is giving in his policy towards the siting of airports in the South-East of the socioeconomic groups likely to be employed there; what studies he has made of the socioeconomic groups employed at present in airports in the South-East region; and if he will publish those figures which he has.

Estimates of employment requirements and their implications were produced by the study group on South-East airports, and were taken into account by the Government in reaching the conclusion announced by my right hon. Friend on 17 December 1979. More detailed studies relating to Heathrow and Gatwick have been submitted by the BAA and the local authorities concerned at the public inquiries into proposed developments at these airports. I would expect the same to apply in the case of Stansted.