11-12-02

Barrett to take evidence over air consultation

John Barrett, Scottish Liberal Democrat MP for Edinburgh West, today announced he would taking evidence over the Government's Future of Air Transport Consultation Paper, during a special seminar to be held in Westminster.

John Barrett, who is also the Scottish Liberal Democrat Spokesman on Cross-Border transport, will join other members of the Liberal Democrats' Parliamentary Transport team during an evidence gathering seminar in Portcullis House on Thursday 12th December.

Evidence will be taken from a number of relevant groups, including British Airways, CBI, British Airports Authority and Friends of the Earth.

In a statement, John Barrett said:

"The Government's consultation on the expansion of air transport will have major implications for Edinburgh with options for an increase in air traffic and even a second runway at Edinburgh airport.

"An increase in direct international flights would bring more tourism to the Capital and perhaps result in cheaper holidays for local people. However, there will be major implications in terms of noise, air pollution and as the Government's Environment adviser have warned, even global warming.

"I believe it fair for all interested parties to be able have the opportunity to feed in their opinions on the consultation. That is why today's seminar is so important."

ENDS

Notes to Editors

• Evidence will be taken in private. The agenda for the seminar is as follows

Airport and Air Transport One-Day Seminar
Thursday 12th December 9:30am to 5:00pm
9:30 British Airways, Virgin Atlantic
10:30 The Railway Forum
11:25 JMC Group (Thomas Cook etc)
12:00 Airport Watch (an umbrella group representing organizations such as FOE, Transport 2000, RSPB, CPRE etc)
14:40 CBI
15:30 Friends of the Earth (FOE)
16:10 Airport Operators Association; BAA plc
17:00 End

The "panellists" will include:

Don Foster MP
Tom Brake MP
John Barrett MP
Dr Vince Cable MP
Norman Baker MP
Lord Bradshaw
Baroness Scott
Lord Mar and Kellie
Lynne Featherstone GLA
Dr Steven Toole
Oscar Plummer GLA