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Civil Aviation Bill

I hear what my noble friend says, but his suggestion introduces a complication. It also requires us to address ourselves to primary legislation. I do not think that this issue deserves it. He is reflecting accurately—and I understand this anxiety—that there have been some difficulties about how flight and cabin crew make representations to their airline employers. There is a memorandum of understanding between the Health and Safety Executive and the CAA. It may be that that memorandum of understanding lacks clarity in this area. As a result of this discussion, we are prepared to address this issue. A stakeholder committee was formed to address the 2004 regulations which govern this area. That committee may be able resolve the issue that probably underlies my noble friend’s amendment. If we cannot get a solution which is satisfactory to the interests concerned, we will consider legislative change. This is on an important but limited point and our amendment would involve secondary legislation. We would be able to do that rapidly, assuming that there were to be agreement in both Houses. It is very different from having to deal with primary legislation. I fear that what my noble friend is probably trying to do, having highlighted the issue for best of all possible reasons, is to use the sledgehammer of primary legislation to crack a small nut which we will certainly crack in secondary legislation; although we are extremely hopeful that we can do so through the stakeholder committee and that the legislative change will not be necessary. On the basis of that assurance, I hope that he will withdraw Amendment No. 33.