Last week in Parliament I tabled an Early Day Motion calling for an independent, public inquiry into the Government's consultation on the proposal for a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow.

An Early Day Motion is like a petition which allows MPs to sign a statement demanding government action.

The reason I tabled this motion is because it has become clear from numerous Parliamentary debates and media reports, as well as concerns expressed by many local people, that there are very few people left who have any faith in the process the Government has undertaken in consulting over the possible expansion of Heathrow.

Right from the start two years ago, when the Government published its White Paper on the future of aviation in this country, it was obvious that BAA was not telling the truth about its expansion plans and the Government was accepting everything the aviation industry said as gospel.

We all remember BAA's promise at the fifth terminal inquiry that if permission was given for that terminal it would not want a third runway. That promise lasted about six months before BAA started lobbying for a new runway. In the lobby for the new runway there was no mention of a sixth terminal. Then BAA was forced to admit that a third runway required a sixth terminal.

The Government has consistently underestimated the impact on the local area, especially the number of homes to be demolished or rendered uninhabitable. In addition, there has been no estimate by the Government of the cost of the forced removal of anything up to 10,000 people from their homes if Heathrow expands. There has also been no serious attempt to examine alternatives to airport expansion such as an integrated rail and air transport strategy.

Following on from the White Paper there are now increasing concerns that the drafting of the Government's latest consultation paper was heavily influenced by BAA. The conclusion of this document that Heathrow can virtually double and yet there will be no increase in noise or air pollution is clearly ludicrous.

If the Government wants to restore confidence in its policy making process concerning Heathrow it should agree to an independent, public inquiry into the current consultation process.