Transport Infrastructure
Debate between Annette Brooke and Lord McLoughlin(11 years ago)
Commons ChamberRead Full debate Read Hansard Text Read Debate Ministerial Extracts
Mr McLoughlin
I am a passionate believer in the role of airports outside London. The first time I appeared before the Select Committee, I said that we should stop describing airports such as Birmingham and Manchester as regional airports, because they are major international airports in their own right. I want to see those airports—along with East Midlands airport—serving their local communities. On page 195 of its report, the commission says that it does not see
“a strong case for expansion at Birmingham”
at the moment, but that may well change by 2050. Moreover, being served directly by HS2 will give the airport a great opportunity for the future.
Annette Brooke (Mid Dorset and North Poole) (LD)
Will there be an independent assessment of the impact of any proposals on the carbon emission targets of the Committee on Climate Change?
Mr McLoughlin
The commission is taking all our carbon reduction obligations into account, as I would expect.