The Government & Aviation

Press aticles

A parliamentary inquiry into lobbying, launched on 21st June 2007, considered external regulation, government interaction and funding by lobby groups. Details of BAA's lobbying groups and its close links to government formed part of this inquiry.

Written evidence submitted shows that a level playing field does not exist when it comes to BAA and BA securing meetings with the Secretary of State or the Under-Secretary of State for Transport.

The public administration select committee report said: "There has been widespread public concern that some areas of government policy have effectively been captured at an early stage by interest groups, usually within industry, and that public consultations have been unbalanced in the favour of these interests." It named Heathrow as an example of this and concluded that lobbying needed to be open to public scrutiny.

A separate investigation also revealed that BAA and the government “fixed” environmental targets while researching the impact of the third runway.

Some articles on these and similar subjects are referenced here.

Early Day Motions

On 17th December, 2008, an Early Day Motion (EDM) demanding a vote on the third runway in the Commons was submitted. Gordon Brown has refused a vote.

To see which MPs have signed this EDM, please click on the title below.

"ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT OF THIRD RUNWAY AT HEATHROW"

On 27th October, 2008, an EDM opposing the government's policy on the third runway was submitted for debate in the Commons. Although few EDMs make it to the floor of the House, a debate was held on 11th November, 2008, with the number of MPs speaking out against Heathrow expansion vastly outnumbering those in favour.

To see which MPs signed this EDM, please click the title below.

"GOVERNMENT POLICY ON THIRD RUNWAY AT HEATHROW AIRPORT"

Lord Adonis becomes Transport Secretary PDF Print E-mail
Saturday, 06 June 2009 00:00

Lord Adonis, a former key adviser to Tony Blair, has been promoted to Gordon Brown's cabinet. Previously Mr Blair's chief policy adviser, Lord Adonis is the new Transport Secretary replacing Geoff Hoon after his resignation.

The promotion marks a remarkable rise for the peer who has prospered against the odds under Mr Brown. He is also highly regarded by David Cameron, the Conservative leader. However, the appointment will add to growing fears over the number of non-elected members of the House of Lords now occupying Cabinet positions.

Lord Adonis has firmly backed plans for more high-speed rail services and recently undertook a tour of the railways to see for himself the problems faced by passengers. He is likely to come under intense pressure to reverse a decision to expand Heathrow airport.

Mr Hoon resigned amid controversy over his expense claims. The former Transport Secretary flipped his designated second home and did not pay capital-gains tax on the sale of his London flat.

Read the full article in The Telegraph.


It has been reported that Lord Adonis is "lukewarm at best" over Heathrow expansion, and is a strong advocate of high-speed rail. However, he has also said that the proposed rail hub at Old Oak Common would complement the third runway, rather than do away with it.

But he can't be worse than Buff.
 
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