Lord Soley claims to speak for trade unions in Forward Heathrow, pursuing the Government agenda for a third runway and sixth terminal at Heathrow.

Can I make it very clear that the West London General Branch, Unite Amicus Section, with nearly 5,000 members, totally opposes the expansion of Heathrow and condemns our union leaders cuddling up to big business, BA and BAA in pursuing this proposal.

The constant mantra about jobs is not borne out by the facts.

The building of terminals 4 and 5 has led to fewer jobs at Heathrow due to technical advances, and there is no doubt in our members' view that, if this development takes place,more jobs will go after the initial building work.

If a union is unable or unwilling to defend its members' homes in Sipson, Harmondsworth, Harlington and all the other threatened communities, then it loses all its respect and is tarred with the brush of helping BAA and BA increase profits, to the detriment of its own members.

Lord Soley should also note that the Labour MP who replaced him at the 2005 general election in his Ealing Acton seat - Andrew Slaughter - is an opponent of Heathrow expansion and has resigned from his junior government position.

Maybe the reason for this is he needs the votes of people - not the money of vested interests.

STAN BISHOP, secretary, West London General Branch Unite Amicus Section, Denecroft Crescent, Hillingdon.