Airports: London

Debate between Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Lord Stoddart of Swindon

Monday 5th September 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I assure the noble Lord that there is no long grass. To continue with that metaphor, I have the lawnmower at the ready if there was any such long grass. I do not think it is inconsistent at all. The Government have given priority to this decision. The previous Government and the previous Prime Minister commissioned the Davies commission to look at this important issue. I have already reiterated the point that the Government are giving high priority to this issue. The decision will be made shortly.

[Lord Stoddart of Swindon (Ind Lab)]

Does the decision of the Government to widen the M4 to an eight-lane motorway indicate that the decision has already been made for a new runway at Heathrow, in spite of the enormous opposition to such a project?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

I assure the noble Lord that no decision has yet been made.

Israel and Palestine

Debate between Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon and Lord Stoddart of Swindon

Tuesday 5th November 2013 Lords Chamber

[Lord Stoddart of Swindon]

Does the noble Lord agree that one of the greatest provocations between Israel and the Palestinians is the building on occupied land by the Israelis in direct contravention of the United Nations resolutions banning such building?

[Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon]

My Lords, as I have already said, the UK Government’s position is quite clear. These settlements on Palestinian land beyond the 1967 borders—be they in East Jerusalem or in the West Bank—are illegal.