Robin Cook has indicated the Government will stick to the agreement not to expand Gatwick airport before 2019.

The Commons Leader said the High Court had been able to force the Government to consider building up to two new runways at the airport.

But he made it clear the final decision on whether to go ahead with the controversial scheme would rest solely with Ministers.

Mr Cook gave the strongest possible hint they would stick to the terms of the 1979 agreement signed by BAA which ruled out further building work for 40 years.

The former Foreign Secretary spoke out after Tory MP Peter Ainsworth said the expansion of Gatwick threatened "massive and unsustainable environmental damage".

He called for an early debate at Westminster to discuss the plans, published yesterday by Transport Secretary Alistair darling.

Mr Cook said: "The initial consultation document did not include Gatwick and the surrounding area because an undertaking was given to the residents of Gatwick some time ago that we would not return to the expansion of Gatwick.

"The courts ruled against the Government on that question, which is why we have been obliged to reissue the consultation document with the inclusion of Gatwick.

"However, I do not anticipate that the final policy judgments will be made by the courts that gave that ruling; they will be made within the Government and will be subject to all the various considerations, including previous commitments given to those living around Gatwick."

Mr Cook added: "The one thing that must unite all the communities affected by the consultation is that we need to reach a decision as quickly as we reasonably can, and consistent with that consultation and remove the blight that may otherwise affect many of those areas."