asked the Secretary of State for Transport whether it is his intention to privatise the British Airports Authority.

We intend, in accordance with our manifesto commitments, to introduce private capital into the British Airports Authority. I shall be discussing this more fully with the chairman of the authority and considering how best this might be achieved.

Does my right hon. Friend accept that this policy, if confirmed by the public inquiry, could have a profound effect on the Government's other policy of providing extra capacity for airports in the south-east?

As my hon. Friend knows probably better than any other hon. Member, that inquiry has just completed its hearings and it would not, therefore, be proper of me to comment in advance of the inspector's report. However, my hon. Friend and I stood on the same manifesto to encourage the introduction of private capital into Britain's airports, and that is what we shall seek to do.