HC Deb 28 March 1996 vol 274 cc701-2W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer of 7 March 1996,Official Report, column 309, if he will make a statement on the measures taken by his Department to assess whether aircraft are operated in accordance with international safety standards. [21362]

Mr. Norris

My answer of 7 March detailed the particular steps taken by the Department to check that aircraft for which permits are required to operate to the UK have the necessary safety certification. In addition, my noble Friend the Minister for Aviation and Shipping

announced on 10 January a package of new measures to increase the oversight of safety standards of foreign aircraft operating to the UK.

In brief these measures are as follows: The Department, in consultation with the Civil Aviation Authority, is arranging for more inspection of foreign aircraft where the observance of international safety standards is in doubt. The UK is providing experts to the International Civil Aviation Organisation to assist in its recently commenced safety oversight programme. As a result of a recommendation by the air accidents investigation branch, new procedures will clarify which airline is responsible for safety in operations where aircraft are leased with crew (wet-lease).