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| Heathrow runway debate a 'sham' | |
| (29 minutes later) | |
| Consultation over the need for a third runway at Heathrow has been a "complete sham", the Conservatives has claimed. | |
| 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. | |
| Airport owner BAA and its main customer British Airways say the runway is vital if the airport is to stay competitive. | |
| Environmental groups oppose the plans, and some backbench Labour MPs are calling for a rethink. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 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. | |
| For the Tories, Theresa Villiers said the government's "mind has been made up for a long time" on a third runway. | |
| She called for the development of new high-speed rail lines as a "realistic and viable" alternative to the "thousands of flights clogging up Heathrow". | |
| Earlier, Mr Brown told a Westminster news conference that 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 | |
| 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". | |
| A number of Labour MPs oppose the expansion, including Martin Salter, who told BBC Radio 4's Today that a third runway should be opposed on environmental grounds. | A number of Labour MPs oppose the expansion, including Martin Salter, who told BBC Radio 4's Today 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. |
| 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 Heathrow | 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 Heathrow |
| "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." | "We know that the noise levels are going to be exceeded and quite frankly the environmental case against a third runway is overwhelming." |
| 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. | "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." |
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