HC Deb 07 June 1990 vol 173 cc694-5W
Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what regulations govern the amount of fuel which should be held in reserve by jumbo aircraft approaching Heathrow.

Mr. Parkinson

The international standards for fuel and oil supply are contained in annex 6, part 1, to the convention on international civil aviation, at section 4.3.6. The fuel required varies according to several factors, but in general terms, for flights into Heathrow the aircraft must be able to make an approach, then divert to an alternative aerodrome and hold for 30 minutes at the alternate aerodrome, plus a further reserve determined by the state of registry of the operator.

The international standards are amplified in states' regulations which apply to aircraft registered in those states. In the United Kingdom the Civil Aviation Authority has the statutory responsibility for the regulation of civil aviation and the regulations concerning fuel are contained in the Air Navigation Order at article 26.

Mr. McCrindle

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he has had any discussions with the Civil Aviation Authority regarding the desirability of an in-flight engineer on board Boeing 747–400 aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Parkinson

No. The composition of flight crew is entirely a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority, which has the statutory responsibility for the safety regulation of civil aviation. I understand that as a consequence of the duty time limitations imposed by the CAA, one or more pilots in addition to the basic two are employed on long-range flights.