Speaking in the debate Mr Heath called on Labour back benchers to support the motion.
Mr Heath said: " I hope that Labour backbenchers will be prepared to take a risk tonight and come into the lobby with us to insist that that should be the case...We generally have a consensus in this country, not just between the political parties but with big business. We have a huge opportunity, and we can do so much more if we shut off the poverty of aspiration that still bedevils us and grasp the fact that doing the right thing is not only right environmentally but right economically."
