The SNP has urged the UK Government to provide a “running commentary” on the work to reach a decision on airport expansion in south-east England.
Alan Brown MP asked Transport Secretary Patrick McLoughlin to detail what is being done to refine considerations on air quality and noise.
He went on: “When will that work be completed, and what else needs to be done for the government to come to a decision?”
The Conservatives have repeatedly faced accusations of kicking the Airports Commission’s final report – which recommended a third runway 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.
In the Commons yesterday, Tory frontbencher Mr McLoughlin disagreed updates were required, adding: “When we do come to a final decision, we will be fully accountable for the decisions and recommendations that we make.”
English Tory Cheryl Gillan told Mr McLoughlin to “get a wiggle on”.
Later in transport questions, Highland MP Ian Blackford hailed the new Inverness-Heathrow route, which launches next week.
But he said over the past 10 years – while destinations and routes from Scotland had doubled – flights to London had fallen by more than a third.
He stressed routes between London and the regions needed to be guaranteed and their frequency upped.