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Heathrow runway debate a 'sham' Heathrow runway debate a 'sham'
(about 2 hours later)
Consultation over the need for a third runway at Heathrow has been a "complete sham", the Conservatives have claimed.Consultation over the need for a third runway at Heathrow has been a "complete sham", the Conservatives have claimed.
In a Commons debate on Heathrow expansion, shadow spokesman Theresa Villiers said the government had already made up its mind to go ahead.In a Commons debate on Heathrow expansion, shadow spokesman Theresa Villiers said the government had already made up its mind to go ahead.
But Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said the decision would be subject to "stringent" environmental criteria.But Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon said the decision would be subject to "stringent" environmental criteria.
Airport owner BAA and its main customer British Airways say the runway is vital if the airport is to stay competitive.Airport owner BAA and its main customer British Airways say the runway is vital if the airport is to stay competitive.
The Conservatives and Lib Dems oppose the idea of a new runway, as do environmental groups, while some backbench Labour MPs are calling for a rethink.The Conservatives and Lib Dems oppose the idea of a new runway, as do environmental groups, while some backbench Labour MPs are calling for a rethink.
Ending uncertainty 'Ending uncertainty'
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said a final decision, due next month, would be taken after "full consideration" of the environmental implications.Prime Minister Gordon Brown has said a final decision, due next month, would be taken after "full consideration" of the environmental implications.
In the Commons, Mr Hoon said it was right that a decision was taken soon to "bring this period of uncertainty to an end" for those living close to the airport and for the country as a whole.In the Commons, Mr Hoon said it was right that a decision was taken soon to "bring this period of uncertainty to an end" for those living close to the airport and for the country as a whole.
He denied the decision had already been made, saying ministers backed the need for additional runway capacity in south east England in principle - but would only approve the project if strict criteria on air quality and noise levels could be satisfied.He denied the decision had already been made, saying ministers backed the need for additional runway capacity in south east England in principle - but would only approve the project if strict criteria on air quality and noise levels could be satisfied.
If we don't allow a hub airport to develop, British jobs will be exported to Schiphol or Paris Geoff HoonTransport Secretary Q&A: A third runway at HeathrowIf we don't allow a hub airport to develop, British jobs will be exported to Schiphol or Paris Geoff HoonTransport Secretary Q&A: A third runway at Heathrow
He acknowledged the issue "aroused strong feelings" but argued that Heathrow was already operating at full capacity.He acknowledged the issue "aroused strong feelings" but argued that Heathrow was already operating at full capacity.
If nothing was done to remedy this, flights would be lost to airports on the continent, damaging the economy.If nothing was done to remedy this, flights would be lost to airports on the continent, damaging the economy.
He said the Tory policy on aviation expansion was "incoherent" and challenged those who wanted to "sit on their hands" to explain what the alternatives to more airport capacity were. He accused the Tories of taking "easy, populist decisions" and challenged those who wanted to "sit on their hands" to explain what the alternatives to more airport capacity were.
For the Tories, Theresa Villiers said the government's "mind has been made up for a long time" on a third runway.For the Tories, Theresa Villiers said the government's "mind has been made up for a long time" on a third runway.
She said the environmental costs outweighed the economic benefits of expansion and claimed the government "was deaf to the concerns of people about the environment".She said the environmental costs outweighed the economic benefits of expansion and claimed the government "was deaf to the concerns of people about the environment".
There was a strong case for new high-speed rail lines as a "realistic and viable" alternative to the "thousands of flights clogging up Heathrow", she added.There was a strong case for new high-speed rail lines as a "realistic and viable" alternative to the "thousands of flights clogging up Heathrow", she added.
More than 140 MPs - including 50 Labour MPs - have signed a Commons motion urging the government to consider the alternatives to a new runway at Heathrow.More than 140 MPs - including 50 Labour MPs - have signed a Commons motion urging the government to consider the alternatives to a new runway at Heathrow.
Labour MP Chris Mullin said the government should concentrate on "managing" current demand at Heathrow better. There has been a litany of lies and deceit over the development of the airport John McDonnell, Labour MP
Tory MP Nick Hurd said a new runway would make a "mockery" of ministerial targets to cut carbon dioxide emissions by 80% by 2050. John McDonnell, Labour MP for Hayes and Harlington - the constituency in which the runway will be built - said thousands of residents would lose their homes if it went ahead while thousands more would face "unliveable" conditions due to noise and pollution levels.
Assurances from successive governments about the limits of the airport's expansion would mean nothing if the runway went ahead.
"There has been a litany of lies and deceit over the development of the airport," he said.
For the Lib Dems, transport spokesman Norman Baker said the government would "betray" its environmental credentials if it proceeded with the project.
"The government has a potentially good story over climate change but it will be shot out of the water if it goes ahead with a third runway," he said.
Travel boom
Earlier, Mr Brown said he expected the number of people who use airports to double in the next 20 to 25 years "because more young people want to travel more, because more elderly people wish to visit relatives and because there is more business travel".Earlier, Mr Brown said he expected the number of people who use airports to double in the next 20 to 25 years "because more young people want to travel more, because more elderly people wish to visit relatives and because there is more business travel".
Map of the proposed expansion area Map of the proposed expansion area
He said less than 10% of Heathrow's traffic was geared towards domestic travel and drew international comparisons with major European airports in Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, which have "either four or five runways there to deal with the traffic".He said less than 10% of Heathrow's traffic was geared towards domestic travel and drew international comparisons with major European airports in Paris, Amsterdam and Frankfurt, which have "either four or five runways there to deal with the traffic".
Labour MP Martin Salter told BBC Radio 4's Today that a third runway should be opposed on environmental grounds. But Labour MP Martin Salter said a third runway should be opposed on environmental grounds, adding the government would have to opt out of its EU obligations on air quality if the runway was built.
"We know that the noise levels are going to be exceeded and quite frankly the environmental case against a third runway is overwhelming," he said.
More from Today programmeMore from Today programme
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. The Conservatives argue the growth in passenger numbers at Heathrow Airport has been fuelled by international connections, and not visitors to the UK.
"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."
The Conservatives 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 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 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.
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 "was 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," it said.
"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."
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