§ The Earl of KINNOULLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government why the Civil Aviation Authority are phasing out their responsibility of licensing aircraft engineers; whether they will reconsider this decision in the interests of flight safety; and, if not, what safeguards have been made to ensure a level of training among airline operators compatible to the unified standards, demanded by the approved maintenance scheme.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, this is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority to decide and Her Majesty's Government have not yet received any recommendation from the Authority. The Authority, however, do not intend to phase out their responsibility for licensing aircraft engineers. The proposed changes which are intended to contribute to safety, while providing for a change from individual to corporate responsibility for the overall maintenance task, would also introduce substantial safeguards by way of control by the Airworthiness Division of the Authority over those organisations which would achieve CAA approval for this task. Such safeguards would include for the first time minimum CAA licence qualifications for all engineering staff employed by these organisations, which provide certification required by the Air Navigation Order.
1080 Further, a meeting has been held between the Airworthiness Requirements Board, who are by Statute the advisers to the Authority in such matters, and representatives of aircraft maintenance engineers. At this meeting some suggested amendments were proposed which are now being considered by the Authority. The Authority have not come to any final decision on the matter. It is hoped that a decision will be reached within a few months.
§ The Earl of KINNOULLMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord for his reply. Does he agree that there would be very genuine concern if there were any lowering of the present maintenance standards and, indeed, of the qualifications of the engineers? As the present proposals are almost identical to those which were being considered in 1968, can the noble Lord say what are the changed circumstances? Secondly, can the noble Lord say whether, if it is decided to proceed with the changes, an order will be laid before the House to amend Article 9 of the Air Navigation Order?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, as regards standards, the intention is to raise not lower them. Regarding the technical points about re-laying Orders, et cetera, may I write to the noble Lord about the matter?
§ The Earl of KINNOULLMy Lords, finally may I ask the noble Lord whether the British Airline Pilots' Association will also be consulted during the consultation period?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I imagine that all the people concerned will be consulted.