Only three MPs voted in favour of Heathrow third runway

Report shows plans for a third runway at Heathrow only had support from three MPs

12 April 2012

The Government was today accused of a "stitch-up" over Heathrow as a row erupted about a report from MPs which backs a third runway.

Airport operator BAA seized on the study by the Commons transport select committee as evidence in support of expansion at the airport.

However, the report was agreed with the support of just three out of 11 MPs. The committee was so divided it had to hold 17 votes as MPs argued over aviation policy. The report was signed off with three Labour MPs backing it, and a Tory and a Liberal Democrat against. Six others did not vote, were absent or abstained.

John Stewart, chairman of anti-Heathrow expansion group Hacan, said: "This is an astonishing revelation. It totally discredits the report and gives a bad name to Parliament. This seems like another Government stitch-up."

Susan Kramer, Lib-Dem spokeswoman on Heathrow and MP for Richmond Park, said: "This will just fuel more suspicions of collusion between the Government, BAA and some Labour MPs." A spokesman for the Department for Transport said: "This is entirely a matter for the committee." Labour MP Louise Ellman, the committee chairwoman, defended the study. "Reports are approved on majorities. It was a majority report," she said.

The report, The Future of Aviation, backed the Government's decision to support a third runway, given the "economic benefits to the UK", but said conditions for noise and air quality should be applied effectively.

The report was welcomed by the FlyingMatters lobby group, which represents BAA, unions and businesses backing expansion.

Ms Ellman said she backed the report, although as chairwoman she would only formally take part in divisions if she had to cast a deciding vote.

The three Labour MPs who voted for the report were David Clelland, Angela C Smith and Graham Stringer. Tory MP Philip Hollobone and Lib-Dem John Leech voted against. Labour MP Sir Peter Soulsby, who was absent because of a "clash" of meetings, said that "on balance" he backed the conclusions.

The committee recommends that the Government should consider building an extra runway at Gatwick airport rather than Stansted.