How Did Your MP Vote On Night Flights ?
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Aviation |
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Which MPs support more night flights? |
The Civil Aviation Bill went through its third reading in the House of Commons on 10 Oct 05. Much of the bill is simply tidying up legislation, but one clause is quite sinister. The aim of that clause is to pave the way for removing the limit on night flights at Heathrow (and other airports).
Details of the clause are given below. The key point is that those MPs voting 'aye' were trying to stop the government removing the limit on night flights; while the MPs voting 'no' were supporting the government's attempt to allow an increase night flights.
West London MPs who voted 'Aye', that is supported local residents and voted against the government, were:
- Sarah Teather (LibDem)
- Greg Hands (Con)
- John McDonnell (Lab)
- Edmund Davey (LibDem)
- Vincent Cable (LibDem)
- John Randall (Con)
West London MPs who voted 'No', that is betrayed local residents and voted for the government, were:
- Barry Gardiner (Lab)
- Dawn Butler (Lab)
- Ann Keen (Lab)
- Andrew Slaughter (Lab)
- Piara Khabra (Lab)
- Gareth Thomas (Lab)
The following MPs were not present or did not vote:
- Alan Keen (Lab)
- Steve Pound (Lab)
- Tony McNulty (Lab)
- Nick Hurd (Con)
- Susan Kramer (LibDem)
The MPs cannot use the excuse that they did nor understand what they were voting for. It was spelt out clearly in a letter and concise briefing (Word document) to MPs from the Aviation Environment Federation.
Nic Ferriday, spokesperson for West London Friends of the Earth, commented, "The hypocrisy of Ann Keen is staggering. She had the temerity to come to a rally in Westminster Central Hall on 24th Oct and say that she supported residents on night flights, while voting in Parliament to allow an increase in the number of flights. At least the other MPs (all Labour) who voted for more night flights had the decency to stay away from the rally."
"The behviour of Andrew Slaughter is equally contemptable. He was reported in the Ealing Gazette as saying that "the number of night flights was already undesirable and any increase could be the thin end of the wedge." This followed his vote in Parliament to allow more night flights."
The offending clause
Civil Aviation Bill - Clause 2 - Regulation by Secretary of State of Noise and Vibration from Aircraft - 10 Oct 2005 - Division No. 50
The No-voters won by 278 to 213 with 4 tellers. Accountable Aviation voted 'aye'
Clause 2 of the Civil Aviation Bill begins:
(1) Section 78 of the Civil Aviation Act 1982 (c. 16) (regulation by Secretary of State of noise and vibration
from aircraft) is amended as follows.
(2) In subsection (3) [of the 1982 Act] for "limit the number of occasions on which they may take off or
land," substitute "impose limits or other restrictions relating to aircraft taking off or landing,".
Those voting Aye wanted to do away with this subsection 2, and thus leave the original words of the Civil Aviation
Act 1982 in place.
The result of this subsection (which was left in place by those who voted No) is to change the law so that the Secretary of State can set aviation limits according to the total amount of noise, rather than by number of flights. This would be implemented by the so-called Quota Count scheme.
In simple terms, the industry will be able to fly more planes if they are quieter to make up for their noise quota, rather than having to petition the Secretary of State every time they want to change the number of aircraft flights.
Since the Quota Count appears to be little more than a sum of the inverse logarithm of the decibels, it means that for every 3 decibel reduction in noise, they could fly twice as many planes. You do the maths.
The final word
It is worth repeating what said on the night flights consulation page: "But whether you respond or not to these consultations, always remember you have a vote. You could decide to vote in future elections for a party that will ban (or strongly constrain) night flights and, conversely, not vote for ones that won't.
Links
Noise quota briefing for MPs
Night flights consultation
Back to Heathrow introduction
Back to air transport introduction
(Oct 05)