Clause 1 - CAA’s general duty

Part of Civil Aviation Bill – in a Public Bill Committee at 4:00 pm on 28 February 2012.

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Photo of Theresa Villiers Theresa Villiers The Minister of State, Department for Transport 4:00, 28 February 2012

It is difficult to give advice on the RAB generally. However, there is every reason to believe that Heathrow Express, for example, which is a key part of the surface access to the airport and is currently on the regulatory asset base, will continue to be on the RAB. A common-sense understanding of what is in the passengers’ interests shows that it is in the passengers’ interests that a surface access project of that nature should continue to be part of the RAB. Indeed, the Bill also contains important transitional provisions to provide some assurance for investors about the continuity of financial arrangements from the old regime to the new regime. The combination of those factors makes me confident that things such as the Heathrow Express are likely to continue to be on the RAB under the new regime, just as they are now.

I conclude by saying that if the Opposition are not prepared to withdraw their amendment, I must ask hon. Members to oppose it.