To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland when he expects a decision to be made on the funding application for the safety works at City of Derry Airport; and what assessment has been made of the (a) safety and (b) regional economic implications of the time scale for making a decision.

I hope that an announcement can be made soon. Issues relating to the economic benefit to the northwest of investment in the airport, options for airport governance and state aid issues are still being considered. I am aware of the safety and regional economic issues involved in the time scale for making a decision.