Ministers ‘misled’ MPs over Heathrow
of ministers by BAA, the airport operator, over the expansion of Heathrow.
about whether Lord Mandelson’s business department had met BAA to discuss expanding
the airport. Justine Greening, the backbencher who asked the questions, will now
ask Michael Martin, the Speaker, to investigate.
illnesses caused by pollution rose by 72% from 2003 to 2008, nearly twice the
national average.
he refers to meetings between officials in his department and "representatives
of BAA", in which expanding the airport was discussed. The letter also refers
to a meeting between Baroness Vadera, the business minister, and BAA.
in parliament, Ian Pearson, a minister in Mandelson’s department, denied such
meetings had taken place.
on Heathrow expansion."
about other issues.
on November 19, 2008: "I know that Berr officials have recently met with representatives
of BAA to discuss the issue of new runway capacity and its significance for security
and the long-term competitiveness of the UK economy."
words" to conceal the lobbying by BAA.
"Ministers have been caught out giving an inaccurate answer. They are now trying
to cover it up."
Berr, said the minister had not answered inaccurately because no specific meetings
about Heathrow had taken place. There had been "routine discussions" about UK
competitiveness at which the issue may have come up. "Ian Pearson’s answer accurately
states that no meeting on the specific issue took place," he said.