Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Heathrow: Third Runway

Thursday 26 October 2023 · 2 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 1 Partly answered 1 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Parliament has voted in principle to support a third runway at London Heathrow.
  • Expansion of Heathrow remains a private sector project requiring strict criteria on air quality, noise, and climate change.
  • Regional airports like Leeds Bradford are vital for the levelling-up agenda and regional connectivity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Robert Goodwill Con
Transport Climate
Context

The question addresses the policy stance regarding the expansion of Heathrow Airport, a topic with significant environmental and economic implications.

Question

What is his policy on delivery of a third runway at Heathrow Airport; and if he will make a statement.

Answer from Jesse Norman

Parliament has voted in principle to support a third runway at London Heathrow, but the Government have always been clear that expansion remains a private sector project. To proceed, it would need to meet strict criteria on air quality, noise and climate change, as well as being privately financed.

Answered
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Q2 Robert Goodwill Con
Transport
Context

The MP highlights the role of regional airports like Leeds Bradford in delivering the levelling-up agenda but also questions whether true global connectivity necessitates more slots from these airports into Heathrow, implying a need for ground space at Heathrow.

Question

I thank the Minister for that answer. Regional airports such as Leeds Bradford have an important role to play in delivering the levelling-up agenda, with more point-to-point destinations. However, does the Minister agree that to deliver true global connectivity, we need more slots from regional airports into our national hub, which will ultimately mean more tarmac on the ground at Heathrow?

Answer from Jesse Norman

Regional airports are vital to the UK, supporting thousands of jobs across the regions and acting as gateways for international opportunities. As Heathrow considers its expansion plans, it should bear regional connectivity in mind when deciding how to proceed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The Minister did not directly address whether expanding slots from regional airports into Heathrow would require more tarmac at the airport.

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