Yesterday in Parliament

Stansted The government backed plans to allow expansion of Stansted airport to handle an extra 10 million passengers a year. The transport secretary, Geoff Hoon, granted permission to increase the number of flights from 241,000 to 264,000 and raise passenger numbers from 25 million to 35 million. Planning permission for the expansion was originally refused on grounds of noise and environmental concerns by Uttlesford district council in November 2006, but Hoon overruled it after an appeal by airport operator BAA. Banking bill The Tories pushed for a full debate on the financial crisis next week as it was announced that the banking bill would be debated by MPs on Tuesday. Theresa May, the shadow leader of the Commons, urged ministers to change the business to hold a full day's debate in the house on the financial meltdown.... [read full story]