Today was Heathrow expansion day. After many years of dithering and posturing, the Government was at last going to bring the controversial third runway proposal to a head with a vote. Before it got to the debate though, we had a number of Urgent Questions and Statements to wade through. When the debate came, I sat in on the opening speeches, with Transport Secretary Chris Grayling making a good contribution to kick it all off. Labour were divided, although a small number of our MPs were also against the plan because their constituencies were under the flight paths. I quite understand their reservations, and respect them. But, for the national good, we must build this third runway and as quickly as possible. Equally important are the new rail and road links that will need to accompany the expansion. Anyway, come the vote at 2200, the Government won handsomely, with those against claiming they'd fight it through the courts. More delay! I stayed on for the Adjournment Debate. Leo Docharty had been drawn to once again raise the issue of our poor veterans, who are still being chased by lawyers for alleged offences in N Ireland decades ago. This really is a disgrace and the Government must settle this once and for all. Leo is a former officer in the Scots Guards and spoke well, hitting exactly the right tone. Minister Mark Lancaster replied as helpfully as he could, but the problem is complicated. We are arguing for a statute of limitation - say 10 years - after which, unless there is clear evidence to the contrary, cases must be shut down. N Ireland and all its history of hatred makes resolving this issue almost impossible because families and friends of victims want those who murdered their loved ones brought to justice, and who can argue with that. But a limitation to former veterans would have to be extended to terrorists and this is the real sticking point, despite the fact that nearly all the killings were committed by these thugs on both sides of the religious divide. Not an easy one. However, the Defence Select Committee, is now going to take evidence on all this and its report will make interesting reading.