§ 9. Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he or the Civil Aviation Authority has made of the fire safety implications of considerable quantities of duty-free alcohol being carried aboard large passenger aircraft; if he will examine the feasibility of siting duty free shops in arrival lounges only; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for air safety regulation. It says that there is no evidence that carrying duty-free alcohol on passenger flights is in itself dangerous. We do not propose to review the siting of duty-free shops.
§ Mr. DalyellWith regard to the Civil Aviation Authority, Christopher Tugendhat writes:
Nevertheless, we would be happy to see any international moves to eliminate its carriage, such as may happen in the EEC over the forthcoming period.That quotation was from a letter dated 15 April. Can the discrepancy about the CAA's attitude be cleared up? How much sense does it make to have 500 bottles of booze in the cabin of a jumbo jet during an emergency, bearing in mind the risks with regard to fire and weight?
§ Mr. BottomleyThe hon. Gentleman does not provide any discrepancy when he reads out the letter from Christopher Tugendhat. Clearly, if 500 bottles are not being carried there could be a saving of £12,000 a year, and that point was made in "The Green Capitalist," which was reviewed in the New Scientist. The important point is that where there is a safety risk the CAA takes action, but where there is not, it does not.