黑洞社区

The government is set to make an announcement on what it will do the tackle a shortage of airport capacity 鈥渨ithin days鈥� according to David Cameron.

In recent weeks the government has come under increasing pressure from business leaders and Conservative MPs to back down on its refusal to allow a third runway at Heathrow airport.

At the last election both coalition parties made manifesto pledges saying they would not allow a third runway at Heathrow.

But the replacement of Justine Greening, who was opposed to a third runway, as transport secretary with Patrick McLoughlin in yesterday鈥檚 cabinet reshuffle has been interpreted by many as paving the way for a change in stance on the issue - at least within the Conservative Party.

Now the government is expected to unveil plans for a commission to conduct a review of airport capacity.

Speaking at the first prime minister鈥檚 question time of the autumn David Cameron said: 鈥淲hat we need to do is build a process that will hopefully have cross-party support, so that we can look carefully at the issue and deliver changes that will address the problems of capacity that we will have in future years and the issue of the UK鈥檚 hub status. I hope to make an announcement about that in the coming days.鈥�

But he ruled out a third runway before the next election saying: 鈥淟et me say clearly that, while I believe that we need to establish a form of review that will bring parties together and make a decision about airport capacity, I will not break my manifesto pledge.鈥�