asked the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to encourage local authorities to introduce private capital into their airports.

We are using our powers under the Airports Act 1986 to have the country's major local authority airports turned into Companies Act companies by 1 April. The Act empowers local authorities to sell their shares in airport companies. It will be for local authorities to decide whether to use this power, but I take every opportunity to persuade them of the advantages of doing so.