§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the countries which impose restrictions on the leasing and operation of foreign-registered and operated airliners.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThis information is not generally collected, although I understand that the United States does not permit its airlines to lease foreign-registered and operated aircraft.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on the number of(a) foreign-registered and operated airliners leased by British airlines and (b) flights undertaken by those airliners in each of the last five years.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe number of permits issued by my Department for the lease of foreign-registered and operated aircraft by British airlines in each of the last five years is as follows:
Year Permits 1984 3 1985 1 1986 18 1987 19 1988 19 Details of the numbers of flights undertaken by those aircraft are not available.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received about the use of foreign-registered and operated airliners; to what subjects those representations referred; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinFrom time to time the Department and the Civil Aviation Authority receive representations about foreign-registered and operated aircraft. In the main, these relate to the quality of service provided by the airlines and the correspondent is encouraged to take the matter up direct with the airline. Exceptionally, where poor safety standards are alleged, the Department and/or the Civil Aviation Authority will investigate, both with the airlines and the other Governments concerned.
§ Ms. WalleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what safety checks and controls are routinely required to be carried out on British airliners; and whether there is any difference in the requirements put on foreign-registered and operated airliners leased by British airlines.
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§ Mr. McLoughlinThe Civil Aviation Authority has the statutory responsibility for the safety regulation of civil aviation.
I understand that there is a large number and a wide variety of safety checks and controls routinely required to be carried out on British airliners. Should the hon. Member have any specific questions, they should he addressed to the chairman of the authority.
Foreign-registered and operated airliners leased by British airlines are required to comply with the safety standards of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.