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| MPs debate third Heathrow runway | MPs debate third Heathrow runway |
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| 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. | 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. |
| Labour MP Martin Salter told the Today programme that a third runway should be opposed on environmental grounds. | Labour MP Martin Salter told the Today programme that a third runway should be opposed on environmental grounds. |
| He said: "Back in 2003, in the Aviation Paper, the government stated quite clearly that a third runway would only be built if local air standards are met and noise limits are not exceeded. | He said: "Back in 2003, in the Aviation Paper, the government stated quite clearly that a third runway would only be built if local air standards are met and noise limits are not exceeded. |
| "We know for a fact that in order to deliver a third runway the Government is going to have to seek a derogation from the European Commission, from our 2015 Air Quality Directive. | "We know for a fact that in order to deliver a third runway the Government is going to have to seek a derogation from the European Commission, from our 2015 Air Quality Directive. |
| "We know that the noise levels are going to be exceeded and quite frankly the environmental case against a third runway is overwhelming." name="text"> Map of the proposed expansion area | |
| 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 million between 2000 and 2006 while over the same period, the number of international flights terminating at Heathrow grew by 919,000. | Ms Villiers said the number of international connections grew by nearly 4 million between 2000 and 2006 while over the same period, the number of international flights terminating at Heathrow grew by 919,000. |
| Domestic terminations fell by 1.3 million, added Ms Villiers, whose party oppose a third runway and favour new high speed rail links instead. More from Today programme | Domestic terminations fell by 1.3 million, added Ms Villiers, whose party oppose a third runway and favour new high speed rail links instead. More from Today programme |
| 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. |
| "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. name="map"> | |
| "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." |
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