Written Answers
Airline Transfers: Heathrow To Gatwick
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they propose to press forward with their policy of transferring airlines from Heathrow to Gatwick, having regard to the present difficulties with the instrument landing system at Gatwick and the work in progress on the parking areas and taxiways.
Some minor delays and inconvenience may have been experienced at Gatwick in recent weeks as a result of the routine testing of the instrument landing systems and maintenance work on the parking areas and taxiways. These activities, which are normally carried out in the off-peak season, are a recurring feature of airport operation. They do not suggest a change in the policy of transferring traffic from Heathrow to Gatwick, which the Government intend to pursue in close consultation with the British Airports Authority, Civil Aviation Authority and others concerned to ensure among other things that all relevant operational factors continue to be taken into account.
Czechoslovakia: Charter 77 Movement Appeal
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will summarise in the
Official Report the appeal received from the Charter 77 movement about the growing lack of human rights in
Czechoslovakia and place a copy of the full text in the Library; what reply has been sent, and what action is proposed, with other recipients of this letter, to try to ensure that the Czechoslovakian Government carry out their promises given in the Helsinki Agreement.
The Government have received no direct appeal from the signatories of Charter 77. But we shall continue, in consultation with our Western partners, to take every suitable opportunity to remind the Czechoslovak authorities of the importance which the British Government attach to the fulfilment by all CSCE signatory States of all the provisions of the Final Act, including those on human rights.
Hammersmith Flyover Closure
asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the Hammersmith flyover east-bound carriageway was blocked by the Metropolitan Police at 13.00 hours on Saturday, 11th November 1978, causing substantial traffic jams throughout West London.
The Commissioner of Police of the Metropolis tells me that a serious accident occurred which necessitated closing the carriageway to enable the emergency services to attend to an injured person, remove a damaged vehicle and carry out investigations into the accident.
Import Statistics
asked Her Majesty's Government:Why the import figures for the first half of 1978, published on 15th and 16th November by the Department of Trade and the Treasury respectively, differ by £2,104 million, and which is the correct figure.
I assume that the noble Earl is referring to figures included in the joint Department of Trade/Central Statistical Office Press notice on the current account of the United Kingdom balance of payments for October, published on 14th November, and in the Treasury's Economic Progress Report Supplement entitled The economic situation and prospects for 1979, published on 15th November. In the Press notice, Table 1 gives a figure of £17,954 million for the value of imports of goods, at current prices and seasonally adjusted, in the first half of the year. In the Treasury document, the figure of £15,850 million for imports, for the same period, given in Table 2, relates to goods and services, at constant 1975 prices and seasonally adjusted. The figures are not, therefore, comparable. The basis of both sets of figures is indicated in the Tables.
Nationality Law: Government Proposals
asked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether it is their intention to publish a White Paper or to introduce legislation on nationality during the current Session of Parliament, and whether they have yet received any comments from the Conservative Party on the Government's Nationality Green Paper published in April 1977.
Her Majesty's Government do not contemplate introducing a Nationality Bill during this Session of Parliament. It remains their intention to publish a White Paper as soon as practicable.No comments have been received from the Conservative Party on the Green Paper on Nationality Law.House adjourned at twenty-seven minutes past ten o'clock.