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Civil Aviation Bill

We have to make a judgment about the balance of the burden and what sort of guidance we issue to airports, and we believe that it is best dealt with locally, given that the impacts occur locally. It is important to look at the issue on a case-by-case basis. It is implicit in the Bill that the Secretary of State has powers to direct airports to use the powers that they have if they are not doing so. Through its provisions on charges on noise and emissions, the Bill will help to encourage awareness of the importance of the environmental aspects of airports. That will continue as concerns are raised and given a higher profile and airports take account of them.