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Civil Aviation Bill

My Lords, Heathrow needs to take its local environment very seriously, particularly in an age when the issue of emissions as well as noise comes very much to the fore. It will be recognised, for instance, that any debate which obtains with regard to expansion at Heathrow and which brings in local pressures about the use of the airport is very much part of the public debate on whether there should be an extension of facilities. This issue, of course, obtains to our other airports, of which Stansted has the most immediate expansion plans. A balance must be struck between emissions, noise and other unattractive features of airports and the need for some expansion. We cannot deny the obvious fact that our fellow citizens greatly value air flights. In fact, it may even be that many noble Lords from time to time avail themselves of aircraft—and I am afraid that aircraft only fly from airports. I will give way again to the noble Lord, of course.