Written question asked by Cheryl Gillan (Conservative) on Tuesday, 30 March 2010, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 7 April 2010. It was answered by Paul Clark (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 April 2010 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Heathrow Airport

Question: To ask the Minister of State, Department for Transport if he will make it his policy not to proceed with his Department's proposals for a third runway at Heathrow Airport.

Answer: The High Court ruling on 26 March 2010 does not require us to change our policy, which remains to support a third runway at Heathrow subject to conditions, including compliance with limits in respect of noise and local air quality. The ruling acknowledges that the Heathrow decisions announced in January 2009 are part of a continuing process which, under the Planning Act 2008, will involve further steps including the preparation of a national policy statement for airports and further consultation, and that this process provides a complete legal framework for considering all the issues raised in the court case.

Secondary information