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Dept for Transport

Answer

Mr. Hunter: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make representations to the relevant bodies in the European Union to ensure consistency across Europe of the implementation of the recommended practices of the European Civil Aviation Conference in respect of disabled passengers, with particular reference to those who are deaf or who have impaired hearing; and if he will make a statement; [208187] (2) if he will take measures to ensure consistency of implementation by UK airlines of his Department's Code of Practice regarding disabled passengers, with particular reference to those who are deaf or have impaired hearing. [208188] Charlotte Atkins: Following the publication of the voluntary code "Access to Air Travel for Disabled People--Code of Practice", which we published in March 2003, we commissioned the Transport Research Laboratory to monitor the industry's take up of the code's recommendations. It is looking at compliance generally and not specifically in relation to any particular group of disabled people. The research is due to be completed towards the end of this year. We have said that we will legislate in this field if the voluntary approach proves ineffective and the outcome of the research will be used to inform our decision. The UK Chairs the European Civil Aviation Conference's (ECAC) Facilitation Working Group on air travel for people with reduced mobility. We work alongside other member states to promote the recommended practices which ECAC has introduced. On the domestic front the ECAC recommended practices were the basis for our Code of Practice. At a recent meeting of the ECAC Facilitation working group we raised a number of issues relating to air travel for deaf and hard or hearing people. The group has agreed to consider those and have included them on their agenda for their next meeting later this month.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

429 c672-3W;429 c670-1W; 208187;208188

Session

2004-05

Subjects

Disability Codes of practice Aviation EU law Passengers European Civil Aviation Conference

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk