§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to how many licences were issued by the Civil Aviation Authority for the carrying of dangerous goods by air; and what proportion covered the transport of toxic wastes.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMatters of aviation safety are the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. Permissions 299W are not issued for individual consignments of dangerous goods. They permit air operators to carry all such goods providing they comply with the International Civil Aviation Organisation's technical instructions for the safe transport of dangerous goods by air. The number of permissions currently on issue is 145: 44 to United Kingdom operators (for carriage anywhere in the world) and 101 to non-United Kingdom operators (for carriage in the United Kingdom). Toxic waste is regarded as an item of dangerous goods. The amount carried compared to other dangerous goods is not separately identifiable.