Written question asked by David Anderson (Labour) on Monday, 10 November 2008, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 12 November 2008. It was answered by Jim Fitzpatrick (Labour) on Monday, 17 November 2008 on behalf of the Department for Transport.

Aviation: Oxygen

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the Answer of 4 November 2008, Official Report, column 240W, on aircraft: oxygen, what consideration his Department gave to including in the Code of Practice on Access to Air Travel for Disabled Persons and Persons with Reduced Mobility a provision that air carriers should carry portable oxygen cylinders free of charge as medical equipment.

Answer: This matter was discussed by the working group which drafted the code of practice. As there is no specific obligation in the European regulation about the provision of oxygen, it was not considered appropriate to make a specific recommendation in the code about carriage of oxygen cylinders. Instead, the code reflects current guidance and practice in this area, in particular with regard to security considerations.The code of practice makes clear that it cannot be an authoritative statement of the law since any question over the interpretation of the European law is ultimately a matter for the courts. The Department for Transport has, however, raised this matter with the European Commission in the context of other issues where interpretation of the Regulation is unclear and has led to practical difficulties or differences in practice among airlines.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 483 c27-8W; 235440
Session: 2007-08
Related items: Aircraft: Oxygen
Tuesday, 4 November 2008
Written questions
House of Commons
Subjects: Aircraft Medical equipment
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk