Nicholas Soames: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what effect expansion at Gatwick would have on runoff water levels in West Sussex and surrounding areas in cases of severe weather; and if he will make a statement. [189891]

Mr Goodwill, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Transport: This Government established the independent Airports Commission to identify and recommend to Government options for maintaining this country's status as an international hub for aviation. Although a Gatwick airport option has been shortlisted by the Commission for further examination, its final recommendations are not due to be published until the summer of 2015.

The environmental impacts of any proposed infrastructure development that might result from this process would be considered as part of the preparations for the detailed planning process to which the project would inevitably be subject, were it to go ahead.

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