HC Deb 15 December 1994 vol 251 cc766-7W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how often his Department evaluates the performance of the United Kingdom's permanent representation on the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal.

Mr. Norris

Evaluation is continuous, since the Department is in constant touch with the United Kingdom representative to the ICAO over the representation of the United Kingdom's interests on a variety of aviation subjects. The Department also formally evaluates the performance of the United Kingdom representative to the ICAO council using standard annual reporting procedures.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what new steps his Department is planning to ensure the more effective representation of United Kingdom interests at the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal.

Mr. Norris

The United Kingdom's permanent staff at ICAO have been successful in representing the United Kingdom's interests in the work of the ICAO council and the Air Navigation Commission, and their work is highly regarded among the international aviation community. In recent months, our United Kingdom representatives have played a major part in influencing ICAO action in the fields of future global air traffic management systems and the oversight of aviation safety.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how often senior staff in his Department meet colleagues in the Foreign and Commonwealth Office to discuss the work of the Britain's representation at the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal.

Mr. Norris

Staff at all levels meet whenever necessary to discuss aviation issues of common interest which might be, or are being, pursued at ICAO. In particular, the DOT is represented at meetings held twice yearly by the FCO to discuss the United Kingdom's policy interests in the UN specialised agencies, for which ICAO is one.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he next plans to visit the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal to evaluate the effectiveness of Britain's presence there.

Mr. Norris

My right hon. Friend has no such plans. Senior officials from my Department are in close touch with our representation at ICAO, and have recently visited it; they report as necessary to me and my ministerial colleagues on issues that arise.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many(a) United Kingdom and (b) Canadian staff are employed in the British office supporting United Kingdom membership of the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal.

Mr. Norris

There are four staff in the British office at ICAO in Montreal. Two, the United Kingdom representative and his deputy, the air navigation commissioner, are outposted in Montreal from the Department of Transport in the United Kingdom. The remaining two are locally recruited support staff, one a United Kingdom and the other a Canadian national.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what is the annual cost to his Department of the United Kingdom's representation on the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal;

(2) what is the annual cost to his Department of the United Kingdom's representatives' office to the International Civil Aviation Organisation in Montreal.

Mr. Norris

The outturn cost for 1993–94 of the United Kingdom office, including staff pay costs, was some £270,000. All these costs were borne by the United Kingdom Department of Transport; none accrued to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office.