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Dept of Transport;Dept of the Environment Transport and the Regions

Answer

Mrs. Dunwoody: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will consider the introduction of a scheme similar to that operated by the Federal Aviation Administration for identifying countries that do not meet international aviation standards. [2650] Ms Jackson: We consider it more effective to balance support for international programmes assessing the safety oversight of countries with firm action with respect to any aircraft flying to the United Kingdom that are found not to be conforming to international safety standards. We are continuing to contribute to the safety assessments being carried out by the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and are taking a leading role in an initiative by the European Civil Aviation Conference (ECAC) to increase the number of inspections of foreign aircraft using ECAC airports, to share the results and other safety information and to organise joint actions when appropriate. Since 1 May we have asked the Civil Aviation Authority to carry out inspections of eight foreign aircraft at UK airports. Two Nigerian-registered freight aircraft, were detained and we will not issue further permits in respect of Nigerian-registered aircraft until we are assured of their safe operation.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

2650; 295 c414W

Session

1997-98

Subjects

Aviation Aircraft Civil Aviation Authority Standards Safety International Civil Aviation Organization European Civil Aviation Conference