Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Danny Kinahan and Lord McLoughlin(8 years, 4 months ago)
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Mr McLoughlin
This is coming from the party that actually stopped investment in road spending almost completely. We are creating record investment while having to clear up some of the mess made by years of under-investment while the Labour party was in office. I do not recognise the points the hon. Gentleman has made.
Danny Kinahan (South Antrim) (UUP)
17. What steps he is taking to ensure that a decision is made as soon as possible on the new airport runway in south-east England.
Davies Commission Report
Debate between Danny Kinahan and Lord McLoughlin(9 years, 4 months ago)
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Mr McLoughlin
I thank my hon. Friend for his representations, which will be taken into account.
Danny Kinahan (South Antrim) (UUP)
I welcome today’s announcement and all the work that has been done, because it means that Belfast international airport, which is in my constituency, should get a flight and direct route to Heathrow. Yes, we want it quick, but when the Secretary of State considers levies and such things into the future, will he keep it in mind that 52% of our passengers disappear down to Dublin because of air passenger duty? Any levy that is put in place might severely hurt the Northern Irish economy.
Mr McLoughlin
I am grateful to the hon. Gentleman for his representations. Obviously, we have to be aware of that, but also part of a noise levy is considering how to put right the damage and how to try to soften or reduce the effects on those who are most disturbed by the noise. That is the right thing to do.
Oral Answers to Questions
Debate between Danny Kinahan and Lord McLoughlin(9 years, 5 months ago)
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Mr McLoughlin
I can assure my hon. Friend that the Government will act in a proper and open way in informing the House of the decisions they take once they have received the report.
Danny Kinahan (South Antrim) (UUP)
If Gatwick were to be given approval for an additional runway, what would the Minister’s intentions be if either the airlines or the airport authorities decided to remove direct flights between Heathrow and major regional airports such as Belfast, which are the absolute lifeblood of my constituency?
Mr McLoughlin
Until I have received the report I am not going to start discussing what may or may not happen. What I will say is that I know how important connectivity between airports is to both Northern Ireland and Scotland. Those slots are incredibly important. I will bear that in mind, as I know Sir Howard Davies will, once we have the report.