asked the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 25 March, Official Report, column 30, how long a period he proposes to allow the district councils in Merseyside to try to reach agreement on the future operation of Liverpool airport before making an order to transfer the interests in the airport formerly held by the metropolitan county council to the passenger transport authority.

On the assumption that the Local Government Bill receives the Royal Assent by the summer we shall wish to know by 1 September 1985 whether district councils have been able to reach agreement.