Government must not fudge Heathrow pollution, says Benn

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The Environment Secretary told the Commons that the Government had made it "very, very clear" that limits on harmful gases could not be ignored just to allow Heathrow to grow.

However, the Tories questioned whether Mr Benn, who is seen as the leading Cabinet rebel over a third runway, could stop Gordon Brown and Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon from bulldozing through the plans for a third runway.

However, the Cabinet minister is not believed to be considering resigning over the issue.

During heated exchanges in the Commons with Mr Benn, shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth taunted him, saying: "Why does he not spend more time protecting the environment and less time conniving with the Department for Transport on a massive increase in pollution around London. Is it because he lacks the will or is it because he lacks the influence?"

Mr Benn dismissed his shadow's question as "unworthy".

So far 113 MPs, including 50 Labour backbenchers, have signed a Commons motion urging the Government to rethink it's Heathrow policy.

Commons Leader Harriet Harman, who is also believed to have raised concerns over a third runway, announced that a debate on Heathrow will take place next Tuesday in Government time.

Britain is applying for extra time to meet the European Commission regulations on fine particulates and nitrogen dioxide. Pollution in London is currently above the specified levels.

Meanwhile, the influential Economist magazine came out against a third runway today, dismissing the Government's case for it as being "as vapid and noxious as a jet-engine's exhaust".