Airports: London

Lord Spicer Excerpts

Tuesday 11th October 2016 Lords Chamber

Asked by

[Lord Spicer]

To ask Her Majesty’s Government when they will publish their decision about additional runways for London airports.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Transport (Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon) (Con)]

My Lords, the Government are absolutely committed to delivering the infrastructure projects the country needs, including delivering runway capacity on the timetable set out by the Airports Commission. It is vitally important we get the decision right. As noble Lords will know, the Government commissioned extra work looking at the three options shortlisted by the commission. Ministers are carefully considering all the evidence, and will be in a position to announce a preferred scheme shortly.

[Lord Spicer (Con)]

It sounds as though we are getting closer. Would it not be wonderful if this were the last time I asked the same Question about a third runway at Heathrow? Would it not be even more wonderful if it were the last time I got the same answer?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I agree with the sentiments my noble friend expresses.