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Ruth Kelly calls for evidence for economic regulation of airports review

DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT News Release (100) issued by The Government News Network on 18 June 2008

Transport Secretary Ruth Kelly today invited passengers, businesses and environment groups to provide evidence to the Department for Transport to consider as part of its review into the economic regulation of airports.

Ms Kelly also announced the names of the panel of experts who will join the Chair, Martin Cave, in undertaking the review.

The panel members are experts in their fields of economic regulation, business and consumer representation.

In particular, the work will look at how best to provide incentives to:

* improve the passenger experience
* encourage appropriate and timely investment in additional capacity to help deliver economic growth in line with wider Government policy
* address the wider environmental impacts of aviation on airport development.

Ruth Kelly said:

"The key challenge for this review is to get the right incentives in place to attract long-term investment in the industry, to address the environmental impacts of aviation, and, particularly, to provide a good standard of service to passengers.

"This is a once in a generation chance to set the right framework and ensure that future regulation makes the best use of the scarce capacity at airports in the South East and provides the right incentives to deliver necessary investment to improve the passenger experience. I welcome all views on how we can build on the current system.

"I am also delighted to announce the names of the panel of experts, chaired by Professor Martin Cave. Their wealth of knowledge regarding consumer protection, economic regulation and the wider environmental context will be invaluable in informing the review."

Notes to Editors:

1. The members of the advisory panel are:
Professor Martin Cave, Chair, Warwick University
Chris Bolt, PPP Arbiter and Chairman, Office of Rail Regulation
John Cridland CBE, Deputy Director General CBI
Philip Cullum, Acting CEO, National Consumer Council
Dr Anne Graham, University of Westminster
Professor Dieter Helm, Oxford University (and Chair of DEFRA's Academic Panel, member of the Advisory Panel on Energy and Climate Security)
Andrew Sentance, Member Monetary Policy Committee.

2. Further information about the terms of reference for the review, biographical details of panel members, how to provide evidence and some clarifying comments on the purpose of the review can be found at:
http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/airports/reviewregulatioukairports/

3. Evidence should be submitted by Friday 25 July 2008.

Public Enquiries: 020 7944 8300
Department for Transport Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk