BAA has been forced by its major shareholders to end its practice of handing free car parking passes to MPs and peers.

The airports operator has written to the leaders of the Commons and the Lords, explaining its decision, saying: "Until the last three years it was not an issue of shareholder or public concern but we cannot ignore the present reality that it has become an issue."

MPs will be allowed to keep the passes until they expire, which is no later than 2006.