Finance (No. 4) Bill

Bob Stewart Excerpts

Wednesday 18th April 2012 Commons Chamber

[Phil Wilson]

This is an important issue for airports outside the south-east of England. We should pursue a course of action that reflects its importance to regional airports and other airports in Scotland and Wales. I have been sent a letter asking for regional and national variation in air passenger duty outside the south-east. It is signed by people who run airports not only in Scotland but in England. This is a UK-wide issue.

[Bob Stewart (Beckenham) (Con)]

Will the hon. Gentleman give way?

[Phil Wilson]

I will not give way, as I do not have much time.

Will the Minister look into whether there is a way of varying air passenger duty? I understand that there might be some European issues to deal with, but we must consider the congestion around Heathrow and Gatwick. Perhaps there could be two variations in the duty, and a small congestion charge to encourage the growth of regional airports around the country.

--- Later in debate ---

Hon. Members, including my near neighbour, my hon. Friend the Member for Great Yarmouth (Brandon Lewis), have touched on the fact that Northern Ireland faces a unique challenge, given that it is the only part of the UK to share a land border with another EU member state—one where aviation duty has recently been cut to a substantially lower rate. That is the context in which we have taken the decision to devolve direct long-haul rates to the Northern Ireland Assembly. I thank the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Phil Wilson) for his sensible acknowledgement that this was for economic development reasons. Any decision to devolve APD further, such as to Scotland or Wales, must of course be based on a full examination of the evidence.

[Bob Stewart]

Will the Minister give way?

[Miss Smith]

Extremely briefly.

[Bob Stewart]

I thank the Minister. I have just one thing to add to the argument—that there are small airports in the south-east of England, too, and they also require support. These are not the big airports that everyone talks about.

[Miss Smith]

My hon. Friend makes a fine point, and I acknowledge it in what I am saying about the regional aspects of the debate and the necessity of aviation in many different parts of the United Kingdom.