Oral Answers to Questions

Lord McCrea of Magherafelt and Cookstown Excerpts

Wednesday 20th June 2012 Commons Chamber

The Prime Minister was asked—

[Dr William McCrea (South Antrim) (DUP)]

Q1. If he will list his official engagements for Wednesday 20 June.

[The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Mr William Hague)]

I have been asked to reply. My right hon. Friend the Prime Minister is attending the G20 summit in Mexico.

I am sure the whole House will wish to join me in paying tribute to those servicemen who have lost their lives in Afghanistan since the last Prime Minister’s Question Time, Lance Corporal James Ashworth of 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards and Corporal Alex Guy of 1st Battalion the Royal Anglian Regiment. Our sincere condolences are with their families and their loved ones. Last week, I visited our armed forces in Helmand where I was once again reminded of their exceptional work on behalf of this country. That work and these sacrifices must never be forgotten.

[Dr McCrea]

I join the Foreign Secretary in expressing our deepest sympathy to the families of our fallen heroes and pray God will comfort them.

The Belfast International air link into Heathrow is an invaluable asset to the economy of Northern Ireland. There are deep concerns, however, that this link is at risk, because the landing slots are allocated to carriers rather than to regional airports. Will the Government urgently publish an aviation strategy that ensures our international airport maintains its link with Heathrow?

[Mr Hague]

The Department for Transport will consult in the summer on our future aviation policy and ask for evidence on options about maintaining the UK’s status as an international hub for aviation. The hon. Gentleman is quite right that the London to Belfast link is important to the economy. There are currently more than 18,000 flights a year between the two Belfast airports and the five main London airports. I hope that he agrees that our steps to devolve power to set air passenger duty rates for direct long-haul flights departing from Northern Ireland will also boost investment and tourism.