MP CALLS GOVERNMENT TO ACCOUNT ON HEATHROW EMISSIONS

2.41.26pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 19th Aug 2008

Following the statement by Stavros Dimas, the European commissioner for the environment who said that expanding Heathrow would mean Britain would miss EU nitrogen oxide limits; Susan Kramer MP has asked the Government how it plans to meet these restrictions.

Susan Kramer MP commented:

"The Government maintains that Heathrow can be expanded and mixed-mode introduced while meeting these EU pollution targets."

"However, I am really concerned that the Government will seek a way out from these limits, to allow it to continue with plans to expand Heathrow at the expense of our air quality."

"It is absolutely outrageous if the Government would seek to derogate from these limits either on the grounds of expanding Heathrow or under the guise of London as a whole."

Susan Kramer MP has submitted the following questions to the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the need for a derogation from the nitrogen oxide provisions of the EU Air Quality directive, if he plans to meet with the European Commission on the matter, and if he will make a statement.

To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what assessment he has made of the need for a derogation from the nitrogen dioxide provisions of the EU Air Quality directive, if he plans to meet with the European Commission on the matter, and if he will make a statement.

Information on the statement by Stavros Dimas can be found at:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2008/aug/18/pollution.carbonemissions