asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many civil aircraft flights have taken place to and from Northolt airport in each year since 1955; what are his future projections; and if he will make a statement.

I have been asked to reply.Figures as far back as 1955 are not available except at disproportionate cost. The number of civil flights each year since 1965 is as follows:

	Number
1965	1,292
1966	1,216
1967	1,230
1968	1,006
1969	1,053
1970	1,454
1971	1,522
1972	1,649
1973	1,706
1974	2,689
1975	3,071
1976	3,248
1977	*1,924
1978	2,453
1979	2,677
1980	2,689
1981	3,660
1982	4,331
1983	3,140
1984	3,414
* the runway was shut for 4 months in this year

On present trends, the figure for 1985 will be about 3,800. Although we are attempting to facilitate the use of Northolt by business aircraft as far as is consistent with defence requirements, we do not anticipate any major change in the volume of civil traffic.