HL Deb 21 October 1999 vol 605 cc133-4WA
Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have a working definition of the height above sea, or any other, level for the upper limit of national airspace. [HL4196]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

The UK does not have a working definition of the upper limit of UK airspace, but for practical purposes the limit is considered to be at least as high as any aircraft can fly.

Lord Kennet

asked Her Majesty's Government:

What system of law operates above national airspace. [HL4197]

Lord Macdonald of Tradeston

There are a number of United Nations conventions relating to outer space, including the Convention on International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects and the Convention on Registration of Objects Launched into Outer Space.

The Outer Space Act 1986 (c.38) was enacted in order to secure compliance with the international obligations of the United Kingdom with respect to the launching and operation of space objects and the carrying on of activities in outer space by persons connected with the United Kingdom.