§ Mr. Steenasked the Minister for Trade how many appeals against Civil Aviation Authority decisions have been considered by his Department in the last five years; which have taken longer than nine months to determine; and in each of these cases, what was the reason for the delay.
§ Mr. SproatSince 1 January 1978, 49 appeals, some involving more than one air transport licence application, have been considered by my Department; only two have taken longer than nine months to determine; in each case the reason for the delay is the complexity of the issues, the need to have regard to the principles of natural justice and the desire to consider fully the merits of the case. All cases are handled as expeditiously as the circumstances and the time limits set out in the Civil Aviation Authority Regulations 1972 will allow.