Debates between Kelly Tolhurst and Alun Cairns during the 2019-2024 Parliament

Mon 2nd Mar 2020

Water Quality: Sewage Discharge

Debate between Kelly Tolhurst and Alun Cairns
Tuesday 25th April 2023

(1 year, 6 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Airport Expansion

Debate between Kelly Tolhurst and Alun Cairns
Monday 2nd March 2020

(4 years, 8 months ago)

Commons Chamber
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Urgent Questions are proposed each morning by backbench MPs, and up to two may be selected each day by the Speaker. Chosen Urgent Questions are announced 30 minutes before Parliament sits each day.

Each Urgent Question requires a Government Minister to give a response on the debate topic.

This information is provided by Parallel Parliament and does not comprise part of the offical record

Kelly Tolhurst Portrait Kelly Tolhurst
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The right hon. Gentleman will know that we have been very clear: the Heathrow expansion project was a private sector project financed privately and not at a cost to the taxpayer, but it had to be done in the best interests of consumers. We were clear within the ANPS that any proposal that was brought forward would need to meet the strict criteria with regard to noise, pollution and climate change. We understand that Heathrow Ltd will potentially appeal this decision. That is something for it to do, bearing in mind that this is a private sector project.

Alun Cairns Portrait Alun Cairns (Vale of Glamorgan) (Con)
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May I congratulate the Minister on the way in which she is responding to the questions that have been asked? Does she recognise that it is innovation and technological advances that will help us to meet our climate change challenge? Does she further recognise that the expansion of Heathrow is a key plank of economic development opportunities on the western side of the UK?

Kelly Tolhurst Portrait Kelly Tolhurst
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My right hon. Friend is absolutely correct that the way in which we are able to reach our target of net zero is with technology and research, investing in that technology and research, and really backing industry leaders and the talented people we have within the aviation sector to develop these technologies that will help not only the UK but other countries to reach their emission reductions. Absolutely one of the things that I am most excited about is the potential of the first electric flight this year.