asked the Minister of Transport whether he will now reconsider the siting of a service area on the M11 motorway, in view of the delay caused by the proposed airport development at Stansted; and if he will make a statement.

I am still of the opinion that the Birchanger site remains the best one for a service area on the M11, and I should be reluctant to abandon it unless it proves to be incompatible with the road proposals for access to the airport.