Heathrow Debate in Parliament
A quick flick through the debate shows Ann Keen to be quiet (if present) and Alan Keen's comments as follows:"I want to make a few points almost at random, but I shall start by noting that my friend Mr. Wilshire said that planes are somehow getting less noisy. For people in my constituency, the difference is like getting hit on the head very hard as opposed to extremely hard. It is impossible for them to live proper lives, or to enjoy time out in their gardens. I am pleased that the hon. Gentleman supports my opposition to the ending of runway alternation, but the planes are not really any quieter.I agree with every word that my hon. Friend John McDonnell said. I have nothing to gain in election terms from this debate. I am often told by BAA that most of my constituents support expansion, although others tell me differently. In any case, I do not think that this should be a political issue, so I shall say what I always say in these debates.Along with my special friend who is Under-Secretary of State for Health, Ann Keen, up to now I have always supported Heathrow expansion. We both supported terminal 5, but there has to be a limit at some point. Whatever the hon. Member for Spelthorne may say, there really is no room for another runway on the south side of the airport. In fact, as my hon. Friend the Member for Hayes and Harlington has said so many times, there is no room for another runway on the north side of the airport either.I want to speak up for my constituents, many of whom work at Heathrow and depend on it for their living. We understand the economic benefits extremely well, and my constituents have given a tremendous amount to the aviation industry. Many of them came from the Punjab in the late 1950s and early 1960s and, regardless of whether they were professional people, in the main they worked on the ramps at Heathrow airport. They deserve better than the treatment that they are getting now, as we seem to have little concern about the effects of increased noise."For the rest of his comments and the full debate have a look http://www.theyworkforyou.com/debates/?id=2008-11-11a.641.0&s=Brentford#g684.0I can't say I'm impressed, not that I expected to be.
Kath Richardson ● 6569d2 Comments ● 6567d