HL Deb 19 December 2001 vol 630 cc338-9

8.50 p.m.

Lord Filkin rose to move, That the draft order laid before the House on 16th November be approved [11th Report from the Joint Committee].

The noble Lord said

My Lords, I shall speak also to the second order in my name on the Order Paper as they are interconnected. The two draft orders for debate are to implement in the United Kingdom the provisions of the 1999 Montreal Convention. The convention consolidates and updates the 1929 Warsaw Convention relating to the liability of air carriers in the international carriage by air of passengers, baggage and cargo.

The principal benefit of the Montreal Convention is that it removes any limitation of liability of air carriers in relation to the amount of compensation payable in the event of death or injury to passengers. It also introduces higher limits for the loss, damage or delay to baggage.

The Carriage by Air Acts (Implementation of the Montreal Convention 1999) Order 2001 amends the Carriage by Air Act 1961, introducing a new schedule setting out the convention for the purposes of international travel to which it applies and makes consequential amendment.

The Government have consulted widely with airlines and other interested parties, including the Ministry of Defence and Consignia. We have received broad support from all concerned. I beg to move.

Moved, That the draft order laid before the House on 16th November be approved [11th Report from the Joint Committee].—(Lord Filkin.)

Viscount Astor

My Lords, we support the Motion.

On Question, Motion agreed to.