TRANSPORT Secretary Patrick McLoughlin told the Commons today the Government would give ‘clear direction’ by the autumn on how it planned to respond to the Third Runway recommendations.

Earlier, the Prime Minister indicated, during Question Time, that a decision on how to proceed would be made by the end of the year.

While the Davies Commission has recommended a third runway at Heathrow, which would destroy much of Sipson and parts of Harlington and Harmondsworth, it is up to MPs to vote on which option to accept.

Mr McLoughlin said the report needed to be studied in detail, for research into how best to achieve necessary planning consents fairly and quickly and then to return to the House in the autumn with clear direction on the Government’s plans.

“This is a vital moment for the future of our aviation industry,” he told MPs. “Our aviation sector has been at the heart of our economic success and quality of life.

All those with an interest in this important question are expecting us to act decisively. This is a clear and reasoned report. It deserves respect and consideration and we must act.

Among those who spoke in the following debate was Hayes & Harlington MP John McDonnell, whose constituency covers the affected Heathrow villages.

Labour’s London Assembly Member for Ealing and Hillingdon, Onkar Sahota, has also responded to the commission’s findings.

She said in a statement: “Heathrow represents real opportunities for the local community, both in terms of jobs and the impact it has on the local economy.

“However, we cannot ignore the vast challenges of air and noise pollution that an airport of this size and scale in our back yard has. It is vital that any vital decision properly addresses these concerns.”