Heathrow (Third Runway)

I have given way to my hon. Friend. I shall give way in a second. As the Opposition have accepted that there is a requirement for some increase in capacity, where will that increased capacity be made available? The hon. Member for Chipping Barnet appears to have ruled out any extra capacity at any of the airports in the south in the past. Today, I was not quite so sure what her position would be. Let us consider the policy recommended to the Conservative party by the right hon. Member for Wokingham (Mr. Redwood), whose economic competitiveness policy group was set up and reported in 2007. It was set up, as far as I recall, by the leader of the Conservative party. The report said:"““The primary issue for UK air transport is the lack of airport capacity to meet the relentless demand…We recommend that an incoming Conservative government's priority should be the strengthening of London's, and Britain's, main air transport hub at Heathrow””." That was the policy outlined by senior figures in the Conservative party. The policy was articulated as recently as last year by the hon. Member for Havant (Mr. Willetts) when he appeared on ““Any Questions?”” in Hounslow. He said:"““I'm afraid there is an economic need for more airport capacity somewhere—somewhere in the South East””." He also said that"““no responsible party can simply say that we can put up the shutters and there's not going to be any more runways anywhere in the South East””." That was what was said by a member of the shadow Cabinet, speaking as recently as last year. That is precisely what the Conservative party is trying to do—to put up the shutters and to do nothing. That has been its policy since it changed its position on Heathrow. I will give the hon. Member for Chipping Barnet credit—she has acknowledged that the policy has changed. She has acknowledged that the Opposition have changed their mind. What is she is not to tell the House or the country why that policy has changed for any reason other than grubbing after votes in some cheap exercise in political opportunism.