asked the Secretary of State for Transport who will be responsible for future debt repayments and running losses on Liverpool airport; and if he will make a statement.

The Local Government Bill provides that, if the districts within the present Merseyside county council can agree, the airport with its assets and liabilities will, on 1 April 1986, pass to them in accordance with their agreement. Otherwise it will pass, with its assets and liabilities, to the Merseyside joint transport authority.