Alan Keen MP

It's been a sad week for all of us who knew Alan, the news of his passing came almost without warning.  It seems not so long ago that Jagdish and I met him at Portcullis House, and again at BA Engineering.  At those meetings he was full of energy but we now know that his remission was just a short respite. 

Alan and I were first elected onto Hounslow Council together in 1986, but he served just the one term and went on to Parliament in 1992, where he was one of our 2 Labour MPs (with Ann) ever since.    
Alan was down-to-earth and great fun with a mischievous sense of humour.   As a politician he was Labour to his core, without being a tribalist.  He understood there were seldom two easy sides to an issue and this sometimes got him into trouble!  He always wanted the best for his constituency and for the borough, and he cared deeply about the needs of the people he represented.  

Ann, David and all the family, our thoughts are with you.

 - I will really miss your "Aya"

Aviation Debate - Westminster Hall 15 November

Both Labour and Conservative front benches have moved considerably in the last few months, and "get" the needs of our residents who woud experience continous overflying if it was not for runway alternation.

With thanks to John Stewart - HACAN for putting this together.

Theresa Villiers on the trials in yesterday’s Commons debate on aviation:

Theresa Villiers "we are trialling the tactical use of greater operational freedoms at Heathrow. This is very sensitive, because those freedoms mean that occasionally there will be some incursions into the respite period, with occasional use of both runways for departures, or, occasionally, use of both runways for arrivals. However, I emphasise that that is not mixed mode and the Government remain committed to runway alternation and the benefits it brings. Very careful consideration will be given to the impact of the trial on local communities. I emphasise that the measures being trialled are only to be used to improve resilience, and prevent or recover from disruption, and not to increase capacity, which remains capped at current levels".http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111115/halltext/111115h0002.htm

Other highlights from the debate:

Aviation Minister Theresa Villiers: Heathrow 3rd runway "absolutely wrong approach to the UK economy" http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111115/halltext/111115h0002.htm

Labour's Maria Eagle confirms opposition to Heathrow 3rd runway and calls for tougher national emissions targets:http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111115/halltext/111115h0002.htm

Strong performances from Mary MacLeod & John McDonnell in yesterday's Commons debate on aviation:http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111115/halltext/111115h0002.htm

Yesterday's Commons debate: Theresa Villiers says interested in working on 'cross-party' basis on aviationhttp://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201011/cmhansrd/cm111115/halltext/111115h0002.htm