---

Civil Aviation Bill

The Minister will be relieved to hear me say that it would be a great mistake to agree to this amendment. The bigger airports are part of a national infrastructure with a national interest for the economy. I flag that up so much because of my concern about Heathrow. I suspect that the Minister at times might underestimate the threat to Heathrow. It is under threat from continental airports, which are dramatically overtaking it now at a rapid rate in terms of regional destination flights. If we agreed to the amendment, we would give local authorities in the immediate area the power to bear down on the operations of an airport. Airports are too important for jobs and for the prosperity, not just of the United Kingdom but of the region, for that to happen. I urge the Minister not to move on that. He will be relieved about that, because I am sure that he will not move.