Hughes quizzes Benn on Heathrow

2.02.00pm GMT Fri 14th Mar 2008

[Mar 13] Simon Hughes (North Southwark & Bermondsey, Liberal Democrat): On the day before the Queen opens the fifth terminal at Heathrow, . .

. . are DEFRA Ministers having any discussions with Transport Ministers, the Chancellor and his colleagues, or any London mayoral candidate about whether Heathrow needs a new runway? The proposal appears to be opposed by all parties, and by everybody in the areas affected, yet everything that we hear about green policy, green transport, and sustainable development seems not to have any effect when passed to other Departments that have the lead responsibility for the issue.

Hilary Benn (Secretary of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs): Of course we have discussions with colleagues all the time. The single most important step that has been taken to deal with the contribution that aviation makes to global warming was the decision of the European Union Environment Council in December to include aviation in the EU emissions trading scheme, for which the UK Government have pressed long and strong and hard. That means that, subject to what the European Parliament finally agrees-it is a co-decision matter-aviation emissions in Europe will be capped at the 2004 to 2006 level, so any subsequent growth, whatever the reason for it, will have to result in reduced emissions elsewhere, paid for by the aviation sector. As it is an international industry, the question is whether we apply a cap. That is what Europe is about to do. Any further growth will mean that emissions will have to be saved elsewhere. The world that we are entering will involve us-

Michael Martin (Speaker): Order. I have to say to the Secretary of State that I need a bit of speed in topical questions.