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Government must not fudge Heathrow pollution, says Benn
Nicholas Cecil, Chief Political Correspondent6 Nov 2008
CABINET minister Hilary Benn today warned against fudging pollution rules to allow a third runway at Heathrow.
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".
Reader views (4)
Why investment more money in what is clearly the wrong place for the country's principal airport. What other airport has its main approach over the capital city ? The longer we mess about with Heathrow the worse it will get for residents in West London and the more difficult it will become to find a long term sustainable solution.
- David Irwin, Putney, London, 10/11/2008 16:59
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Gordon Brown and Geoff Hoon have corporate speaking opportunities in their sights hosted by the likes of BA when they are voted out in two years' time. That's why they want a third runway. The economic argument for is weak, the environmental and health case against is very strong. Someone please stop them harming us.
- Claire Moran, London UK, 07/11/2008 14:00
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Government must not fudge.....? It's about 12yrs too late for that exhortation! We do not need or want another runway. We voted for a government to represent us not BAA.
- Mark, London, 06/11/2008 18:54
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Obviously Heathrow is receiving the lion`s share of publicity and the pollution suffered in the area all around is unacceptable now . There is also another airport some 5 miles from Heathrow called Northolt which caters for private executive jets and military aircraft and whose use is rising alarmingly.Perhaps it is about time this was featured in the pollution debate as well.Our politicians do not mention it ; how surprising !
Footnote ; my doctor tells me our area , 9 miles from both airports has one of the worst asthma problems in the UK>
- Mike, Buckinghamshire, 06/11/2008 17:02
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