HC Deb 10 June 1999 vol 332 cc376-7W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many random ramp checks on foreign airlines have been undertaken by his Department in the last year; and in how many cases were problems found. [85844]

Mrs. Liddell

[holding answer 8 June 1999]The Department asks the CAA to carry out checks on foreign-registered aircraft using UK airports where evidence suggests that ICAO standards may not be met. There were 63 checks in the year from 1 April 1998 to 31 March 1999; of these, 28 revealed no problems or only minor differences from ICAO standards, such as, for example, a defective light bulb in the cabin. Six inspections revealed serious problems which required that the aircraft be detained until corrective action was taken. The remaining checks revealed less serious differences from ICAO standards, which were drawn to the attention of the operators and the relevant national aviation authorities.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans Her Majesty's Government have for the future of the Safety Regulation Group following the reorganisation of the CAA. [85882]

Mrs. Liddell

holding answer 8 June 1999]The future of the Safety Regulation Group of the Civil Aviation Authority will be considered in the light of responses to the consultations on a public/private partnership for National Air Traffic Services Ltd. and on the institutional arrangements for transport safety across all modes.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what bilateral agreements the United Kingdom has established to govern the arrangements for checking the operating procedures of foreign aircraft flying into the United Kingdom. [85845]

Mrs. Liddell

[holding answer 8 June 1999]There are no bilateral agreements specifying procedures for checking the operating procedures of foreign aircraft flying into the United Kingdom.

The UK has agreed with partners in the European Civil Aviation Conference on a Safety Clause to be inserted, as the opportunity arises, into bilateral Air Service Agreements. In brief, the clause allows either party to call for discussions within 30 days when any safety problem arises and to inspect the other's aircraft at any time. To date, insertion of the safety clause has been agreed with 11 countries.