Topical question asked in the House of Commons, by Norman Baker (Liberal Democrat). It was answered by Hilary Benn (Labour) on Thursday, 1 May 2008 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Topical Questions

Question: The Secretary of State might be aware that, last month, a senior civil servant from his Department let the cat out of the bag by revealing that the Department intends to apply to the European Union for permission to delay compliance with its equality rules on nitrogen dioxide in relation to the capital city, London. We know that the Department for Transport wants to move the goalposts in a desperate effort to ensure that the third runway at Heathrow goes ahead, but why does his Department, which is responsible for protecting the environment, want to help it?

Answer: We do, indeed, need to look at how we phase in the new rules, but I assure the hon. Gentleman that that is not to do with any decisions that might be taken in the future about airport capacity. If one looks at the recent figures for air quality, one will see the improvements that have been gained in this country over several years as a result of domestic and European legislation.

Secondary information

Type: Oral question
Reference: 475 c443
Session: 2007-08
Oral question type: Lead
Chamber / Committee: House of Commons chamber
Subjects: Aviation Air pollution Greater London Exhaust emissions Heathrow Airport Standards Nitrogen oxides
Link: View this Topical question on www.publications.parliament.uk