Written question asked by Lord Goldsmith of Richmond Park (Conservative) on Thursday, 11 August 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 6 September 2011. It was answered by Theresa Villiers (Conservative) on Monday, 3 October 2011 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

South East Airports Taskforce

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the written ministerial statement of 14 July 2011, Official Report, column 55WS, on the South East Airports Taskforce, (1) when he plans to define the trigger mechanisms for the deployment of operational freedoms at Heathrow Airport;

Answer: The trial of operational freedoms at Heathrow, which I announced on 14 July 2011, is currently being designed by the airport operator, BAA, under the supervision of the Civil Aviation Authority. BAA will engage with relevant local authorities, communities and stakeholders on the details of the trial once this process is complete.The results of the trial will help define the circumstances in which the measures are deployed, including the requirement for safeguards and restrictions if the regime were to proceed beyond the trial stage to be adopted on a long term basis. The results will also form the basis for a consultation with local communities which will in due course inform the Government in deciding whether an operational freedoms regime should be adopted at the airport.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 69222; 532 c1392-3W
Session: 2010-12
Related items: South East Airports Taskforce
Thursday, 14 July 2011
Written statements
House of Commons
Subjects: South East Airports Task Force
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk