§ Mr.Iain Millsasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the licensing system controlling crop-spraying helicopters; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. David MitchellThe Government's response to the seventh report of the Royal Commission on environmental pollution proposed a number of improvements to the extensive controls already applied by the Civil Aviation Authority and the Health and Safety Executive. I am broadly satisfied that, with these changes, the arrangements are adequate and that the authority has all the powers it needs to take effective action against any operators who breach its requirements. However, I am still considering what response should be given to the Royal Commission's recommendation that advance notification of aerial spraying to occupiers of adjacent land should be made mandatory in all cases.