---

Civil Aviation Bill

I am sorry. My noble friend is quite right. We are aware of international investigations that are taking place. The United States Government have been involved in some analysis of this situation. This issue would not affect only British pilots, air crew, passengers and aircraft; the implications would be profound for the whole international industry. Where there is international concern, work is being done, and we of course monitor that. It would be ludicrous if we could not learn from international examinations of these issues. All I can say to my noble friend is that at the present time the best analysis and expertise upon which the British Government are dependent shows that no case has been established thus far to suggest that we need different arrangements for considering the seriousness of the issue; nor has the issue reached the point where we need to introduce into primary legislation new concepts such as those suggested in the amendment of the noble Countess. That is why I ask her to withdraw it.