Mr. Jenkin: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what encouragement he gives to research into ways of reducing the hazards associated with the transport of air cargo. [116849]
§ Mr. MullinCertain types of cargo are known to present specific hazards when transported by air and these are categorised as dangerous goods. The carriage of dangerous goods by air is governed by the Air Navigation (Dangerous Goods) Regulations 1994 which implement the requirements of Annex 18 to the Chicago Convention. This requires that all dangerous goods transported by air must be carried in accordance with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The Technical Instructions themselves are based upon the UN Recommendations on the Transport of Dangerous Goods.
The Technical Instructions are reviewed regularly by an ICAO panel of experts on dangerous goods. The Department funds a dangerous goods specialist from the Civil Aviation Authority to participate in the panel, which she currently chairs. The ICAO panel does not consider that any research is necessary.
§ Mr. JenkinTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the regulations governing the use of frozen carbon dioxide for packaging for chilled and frozen goods transported by air. [116848]
§ Mr. Mullinn: In accordance with Annex 18 to the Chicago Convention the transport of all dangerous goods by air in the UK is governed by the International Civil Aviation Organisation's (ICAO) Technical Instructions for the Safe Transport of Dangerous Goods by Air. The Technical Instructions are regularly reviewed by an ICAO 234W panel (which includes a UK member) and revised biennially. The hazards from frozen carbon dioxide are well known and the ICAO panel considers that the present requirements for its carriage are adequate.