Peers have revived fears the decision on airport expansion in the south-east of England could be “blown off course” by the EU referendum.
Crossbencher Baroness Valentine pressed the Conservatives yesterday to confirm they would fix on a location before parliament’s summer holiday.
The UK Government has faced repeated accusations of kicking the Airports Commission’s final report – which recommended expansion at Heathrow – into the long grass.
David Cameron had promised a decision by the end of last year, but it was put back to this summer so an environmental impact assessment could be carried out and the “best possible mitigation measures” considered.
Then, earlier this year, Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin hinted the process could be delayed by the EU referendum.
Responding to Baroness Valentine in the House of Lords chamber, Transport Minister Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon said it was important to “take the time” to get the location decision right, pointing to the environmental considerations.
He said the work would be “concluded by the summer” at which point Baroness Valentine accused him of “failing to be too precise”.
She said: “Various governments have avoided taking a decision on where to put a runway in the south-east since the Second World War.
“So you are in good company in failing to be too precise about exactly when that decision might be taken.
“We are all aware of the gathering political storms which may yet blow the Government off course.”
Lord Ahmad replied: “I say this just for clarification on the issue – we will be moving forward in summer 2016.”
Picking up the point, Conservative peer Viscount Trenchard said: “You have not said clearly whether the government will make a decision by the summer recess.”
Lord Ahmad repeated his earlier answer, adding: “We will conclude those further considerations by the summer.”
This prompted Labour peer Lord Harris of Haringey to ask for a “clear definition on behalf of the government of what period ‘summer’ covers”.
Lord Ahmad replied: “I think we are quite clear when we talk about the summer period – often it is when noble Lords enjoy their recess.”
Labour peer Lord Brooke of Alverthorpe asked for assurance the government would still make the decision to press ahead with expansion in the south-east and Heathrow “if perchance the referendum says no”.
Lord Ahmad said he should not “convolute the issues”.
