HC Deb 30 April 1996 vol 276 cc445-7W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the countries that have been visited by(a) his Department and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority to assess that country's compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation standards; and if he will make a statement. [26753]

Mr. Norris

At the Department's request, the CAA visited Belgrade in the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia in 1995 and Bulgaria earlier this year. We have increased the Department's budget to allow for about three such visits this financial year.

Visits to assess compliance with International Civil Aviation Organisation—ICAO—standards can be arranged only with the agreement of the foreign aviation authority concerned. The need for the UK to arrange such a visit will depend on whether assessments have been, or are being, undertaken in the country concerned by other organisations, such as the Joint Aviation Authorities. In addition, ICAO, has recently launched its own assessment programme. The Department is paying for CAA inspectors to join ICAO teams to visit a number of countries later this year; the details have yet to be finalised.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the number of inspections which have been undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority in(a) Jamaica, (b) Colombia, (c) Dominican Republic, (d) Gambia, (e) Peru, (f) Philippines, (g) Poland, (h) Swaziland, (i) Trinidad and Tobago, (j) Turkey, (k) Uruguay, (l) Venezuela, (m) Zaireand (n) Zimbabwe [26752]

Mr. Norris

None.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the United Kingdom airports serviced by airlines flying to or from(a) Jamaica, (b) Colombia, (c) the Dominican Republic, (d) Gambia, (e) Peru, (f) the Philippines, (g) Poland, (h) Swaziland, (i) Trinidad and Tobago, (j) Turkey, (k) Uruguay, (l) Venezuela, (m) Zaire and (n) Zimbabwe. [26752]

Mr. Norris

The United Kingdom airports currently serviced by airlines flying to or from those countries are listed in the table. In addition, charter services may operate from UK airports to those countries on an ad-hoc basis, as and when applications are made.

  1. (a) Jamaica
    • London Heathrow (Air Jamaica), London Gatwick (British Airways)
  2. (b) Colombia
    • London Heathrow (British Airways)
  3. (c) The Dominican Republic
    • None
  4. (d) Gambia
    • None
  5. (e) Peru
    • None
  6. (f) the Philippines
    • London Heathrow (British Airways), London Gatwick (Philippine Airlines)
  7. (g) Poland
    • London Heathrow (British Airways, British Midland and LOT Polish Airlines)
  8. (h) Swaziland
    • None
  9. (i) Trinidad and Tobago
    • London Heathrow (BWIA, British West Indies Airways)
  10. (j) Turkey
    • London Heathrow (British Airways and THY Turkish Airlines), London Gatwick (British Airways), London Stansted (THY Turkish Airlines)
  11. (k) Uruguay
    • None
  12. (l) Venezuela
    • London Heathrow (British Airways and Viasa)
  13. (m) Zaire
    • None
  14. (n) Zimbabwe
    • London Gatwick (British Airways and Air Zimbabwe).

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the consultations being undertaken by(a) his Department and (b) the CAA with (i) Jamaica, (ii) Colombia, (iii) the Dominican Republic, (iv) Gambia, (v) Peru, (vi) the Phillippines, (vii) Poland, (viii) Swaziland, (ix) Trinidad and Tobago, (x) Turkey, (xi) Uruguay, (xii) Venezuela, (xiii) Zaire and (xiv) Zimbabwe concerning the commencement or increase in flights to and from the United Kingdom. [26751]

Mr. Norris

Air service negotiations undertaken by the Department of Transport with these countries are listed in the table. A representative from the CAA is usually present at such negotiations.

  1. (i) Jamaica
    • Negotiations were held on 24 to 26 January 1996 and it is expected that a further round will be held later this year.
  2. (ii) Colombia
    • Negotiations were held in September 1995. No talks are currently planned.
  3. (iii) The Dominican Republic
    • Negotiations were held in 1951. No talks are currently planned.
  4. (iv) Gambia
    • Negotiations were held in February 1992. No talks are currently planned.
  5. (v) Peru
    • Negotiations were held in 1969. No talks are currently planned.
  6. (vi) the Philippines
    • Negotiations were held on 7 to 8 March 1996 and it is anticipated that a further round will be held later this year.
  7. (vii) Poland
    • Negotiations were held in January 1995. No talks are currently planned.
  8. (viii) Swaziland
    • We have no record of negotiations with Swaziland and none are currently planned.
  9. (ix) Trinidad and Tobago
    • Negotiations were held in December 1987. No talks are currently planned.
  10. (x) Turkey
    • Negotiations were held in June 1992. No talks are currently planned.
  11. (xi) Uruguay
    • Negotiations were held in 1970. No talks are currently planned.
  12. (xii) Venezuela
    • Negotiations were held in March 1992. No talks are currently planned.
  13. (xiii) Zaire
    • Negotiations were held in 1974. No talks are currently planned.
  14. (xiv) Zimbabwe
    • Negotiations were held in July 1989. No talks are currently planned.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proposals he has to introduce an inspection system of auditing a country's aviation infrastructure similar to that operated by the US Federal Aviation Authority. [26759]

Mr. Norris

My reply to the hon. Lady on 7 March 1996,Official Report, column 309, set out our procedures for checking that foreign aircraft operating in the UK comply with international safety standards set by the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

In addition, we are participating in the safety oversight programme established by the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and in discussions on possible actions to be taken by the European Civil Aviation Conference and the EC.

In some circumstances, the Civil Aviation Authority is prepared to audit overseas regulatory authorities outside the framework of international programmes.