BAA says Heathrow needs a third runway to remain competitive
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Plans for a third runway at Heathrow Airport will get the go-ahead only if it meets air quality standards, Environment Secretary Hilary Benn said.
Mr Benn's assurance to MPs came ahead of a Parliamentary debate on the planned airport expansion next week.
Conservatives accused the government of trying to weaken pollution standards.
Last month 95 MPs, including 40 from Labour, signed MP John Grogan's motion calling for a rethink on the proposed expansion at Heathrow.
Transport Secretary Geoff Hoon is expected to announce next month whether the scheme should go ahead.
In the Commons Mr Grogan asked Mr Benn for an assurance that a proper assessment of pollution caused by the expansion will be conducted.
Mr Benn replied: "As I've already indicated, it is Defra's responsibility and mine to ensure that the air quality requirements - the obligations we have under the directive - are met.
"The Government made that very clear when the original consultations were published, that any decision to proceed would have to be subject to ensuring that those limits were met."
Outside the House shadow environment secretary Peter Ainsworth accused the government of trying to "water down" air pollution standards.
He said: "Rather than scheming with the Department for Transport to lower air quality standards Hilary Benn should be tackling the causes of pollution.
"Nitrous oxide levels around Heathrow are set to exceed new European limits but the Government presses on with a third runway regardless of the impact on the environment, public health and Londoners' quality of life.
"The solution is not to water down the pollution limits but to try to meet them."
'Jam packed'
The expansion plan faces strong opposition from environmental groups and people living near the west London airport.
Airport operator BAA has said Heathrow is "jam-packed" and needs a third runway to remain competitive globally.
The Conservatives and Liberal Democrats have said they will oppose the new runway and would prefer to see high-speed cross-country rail links with connections to Europe.
But a group of high-profile businesses, backed by the CBI and British Chambers of Commerce, say it must go ahead "within strict environmental standards".
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The solution is not to water down the pollution limits but to try to meet them
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