Airports Commission: Final Report

Andrew Murrison Excerpts

Thursday 26th November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Sir Gerald Howarth]

I am delighted to support my right hon. Friend’s argument about the importance of Heathrow, but I must disappoint her by saying that I am also in favour of HS2. I will explain why in a moment.

[Dr Andrew Murrison (South West Wiltshire) (Con)]

rose—

[Sir Gerald Howarth]

Given that my hon. Friend took my job at the Ministry of Defence, I suppose I am bound to give way to him.

[Dr Murrison]

On the subject of who benefits, has my hon. Friend studied with interest, as I have, the awful maps on pages 163 and 164 of the Davies report? They show very clearly that, on economic benefit, if we have to choose between Heathrow and Gatwick, the decision is something of a no-brainer: it has to be Heathrow. The west midlands, Wales and the west country will benefit from Heathrow, while the south-east will predominantly benefit from Gatwick. My hon. Friend is a west countryman at heart, so I know he will redouble his support for Heathrow, because if there is to be a choice between the two, that is a no-brainer.