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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| MPs debate third Heathrow runway | MPs debate third Heathrow runway |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| The need for a third runway at Heathrow airport is to be debated by MPs. | The need for a third runway at Heathrow airport is to be debated by MPs. |
| The airport operator BAA and its main customer British Airways say the runway is vital if the west London airport is to remain competitive. | |
| But environmental groups oppose the plans, and some backbench Labour MPs are now calling for a rethink. | But environmental groups oppose the plans, and some backbench Labour MPs are now calling for a rethink. |
| Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said a final decision, due next month, would only be taken after full consideration of the environmental implications. | Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said a final decision, due next month, would only be taken after full consideration of the environmental implications. |
| The shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers recently said the growth in passenger numbers at Heathrow Airport had been fuelled by international connections, and not visitors to the UK. | The shadow transport secretary Theresa Villiers recently said the growth in passenger numbers at Heathrow Airport had been fuelled by international connections, and not visitors to the UK. |
| Ms Villiers said the number of international connections grew by nearly 4,000 between 2000 and 2006 while over the same period, the number of international flights terminating at Heathrow grew by 919. | Ms Villiers said the number of international connections grew by nearly 4,000 between 2000 and 2006 while over the same period, the number of international flights terminating at Heathrow grew by 919. |
| Domestic terminations fell by 1,394, she added. | |
| Ministers should "bow to the inevitable" and scrap plans for a third Heathrow runway, she said. | Ministers should "bow to the inevitable" and scrap plans for a third Heathrow runway, she said. |
| More from Today programme | |
| "The benefits conferred on the economy by transfer passengers are by no means clear." | "The benefits conferred on the economy by transfer passengers are by no means clear." |
| While the environmental and social cost of a third runway was high, she said, "the economic case is looking thinner and thinner". | While the environmental and social cost of a third runway was high, she said, "the economic case is looking thinner and thinner". |
| A report by the Civil Aviation Authority says 70% of all flight connections in Britain are made at Heathrow, and the majority of these are made by non-UK residents. | A report by the Civil Aviation Authority says 70% of all flight connections in Britain are made at Heathrow, and the majority of these are made by non-UK residents. |
| BAA said: "The benefit of transfer passengers is clear and simple. | BAA said: "The benefit of transfer passengers is clear and simple. |
| "By filling seats, these travellers underpin international connections, which in turn fuel the UK's global competitiveness by providing fast and reliable routes to market for goods and people. | "By filling seats, these travellers underpin international connections, which in turn fuel the UK's global competitiveness by providing fast and reliable routes to market for goods and people. |
| "The fact that Heathrow's route network is shrinking should concern every politician and only strengthens the need for new runway capacity." | "The fact that Heathrow's route network is shrinking should concern every politician and only strengthens the need for new runway capacity." |
| In an interview with the Sunday Times at the weekend, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon stressed the economic and social benefits of expanded air travel. | In an interview with the Sunday Times at the weekend, Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon stressed the economic and social benefits of expanded air travel. |
| "The economics are important," he said. | "The economics are important," he said. |
| "If we don't allow a hub airport to develop, British jobs will be exported to Schiphol or Paris." | "If we don't allow a hub airport to develop, British jobs will be exported to Schiphol or Paris." |