§ Mr. WatersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the adequacy of existing regulations for the safety of foreign airlines flying into and from British airports; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisMinimum safety standards for foreign aircraft are set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation. The United Kingdom is bound to recognise certificates of airworthiness issued according to these standards. Where there are indications of failure to meet ICAO standards, the Department asks the aeronautical authorities of the country concerned to investigate urgently and identify whether ICAO standards have been breached and, if so, to detail what measures have been taken to rectify the position. The Civil Aviation Authority also has powers to detain foreign aircraft where they consider there has or could be a serious breach of safety. It is also open to the United Kingdom to refuse operating permission for a non-EC carrier failing to meet ICAO standards.