To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if she will make it her policy to prevent BAA from cross-subsidising landing charges through income from retail units in their airports. (192369)

[holding answer 7 March 2008]: Government have no role to play in the prices airports charge users for their services.

At designated airports in the UK, prices charged are a matter for the independent industry regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority, the Competition Commission, and the airports themselves.

At all other airports in the UK, airports set their own charges in line with competitive market forces.