Lib Dem Environment Spokesman Calls for Aviation Carbon Cuts at Saffron Walden Dinner

8.57.40pm GMT Thu 14th Dec 2006

Lib Dem Shadow Environment Secretary, Chris Huhne MP calls for higher taxation on aircraft at Saffron Walden Lib Dems Annual Dinner.

Chris Huhne, MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Environment Secretary,

speaking to members of the Saffron Walden Constituency party criticised

Gordon Brown's recent Pre-budget statement for announcing increases in

the tax on air passengers rather than taxing each flight according to

the carbon dioxide emissions generated.

"In the light of the urgent need to combat climate change the Liberal

Democrats support the introduction of a tax based on the carbon dioxide

emissions generated by each flight as this will encourage airlines to

use more fuel efficient aircraft and to penalise them if the flight is

half empty. The aviation industry has to realise that they need to take

action to cut their emissions. A direct tax on passengers does nothing

to change the behaviour of the airlines," Chris Huhne told Saffron

Walden Constituency Liberal Democrats at their Annual Christmas Dinner

held in Elsenham Village Hall on 9th December.

Liberal Democrat controlled Uttlesford District Council recently refused

Stansted Airport planning permission to increase the use of the existing

runway to 25 million passengers per annum on nine grounds including the

impact of aviation on climate change.

Mr Huhne, MP for Eastleigh in Hampshire, outlined the Lib Dems Green Tax

Switch strategy. "We would increase the tax on "bads" ie on pollution

from things like aircraft flights and ownership of 4X4 vehicles and cut

taxes on "goods" ie income by taking 2 million people out of tax by

raising the Income Tax threshold and doing away with the 10% rate," he

added.

Mr Huhne also answered questions on the future of the Trident nuclear

deterrent and the state of the NHS.

Constituency Chair, Melvin Caton said "Chris Huhne praised the

campaigning work of the Lib Dem controlled Uttlesford District Council

and said he looked forward to seeing the party make even greater

progress at the local elections in May next year."