§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will undertake a study of the safety implications of providing duty-free sales at airports of arrival rather than airports of departure.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerCivil aviation safety matters are the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. My chief inspector of accidents has advised there is no evidence that the carriage of alcohol in aircraft passenger cabins has jeopardised survival in any survivable aircraft accident. However, this aspect will be considered in the investigation into the Manchester tragedy.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if any assessment has been made of the effect on the revenue of the British Airports Authority of providing duty-free sales at airports of arrival rather than departure;
(2) if any assessment has been made of the effect on the income of the British Airports Authority of offering duty-free goods in both departure and arrival lounges.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe restrictions of duty-free sales to departing passengers reflects an international Customs convention. The effect on the British Airports Authority's income of offering duty-free goods to arriving passengers would depend on the extent to which other international airports made such a change.