To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs what the outcome was of the Government's application to the European Commission for a derogation from the nitrogen oxide limits around Heathrow Airport. (313720)

The UK Government, like most other EU member states, is working to develop its application to the European Commission to secure the additional time available to meet the limit values for nitrogen dioxide as provided for in the Directive on Ambient Air Quality (2008/50/EC). The application will need to set out, for those parts of the country not yet in compliance, including around Heathrow airport, how the limit values for nitrogen dioxide will be achieved by 2015.

The latest date for submitting applications to secure the additional time available under the Directive on Ambient Air Quality (2008/50/EC) is September 2011.