HC Deb 11 February 2002 vol 380 cc20-2W
Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what representations he has received regarding the requirement for aircraft to carry a Mode S transponder by March 2003; and if he will make a statement. [32284]

Mr. Jamieson

Although several European states intend to implement Mode S from March 2003, it is our intention to introduce Mode S within en-route and terminal airspace from March 2005. The introduction of Mode S in all remaining UK airspace will be delayed for a further three years to March 2008 to tie in with ICAO transponder carriage rule changes resulting in a single regulatory change.

The CAA is consulting appropriate user groups and published advanced information on the Government's Mode S proposals in an Aeronautical Information Circular (Number 88/2001) in December 2001. The Mode S and transponder carriage requirements will be subject to formal consultation and submission of a Regulatory Impact Assessment in due course.

Mr. Swayne

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on recreational flying of requirements for aircraft to carry a Mode S transponder from March 2003. [32285]

Mr. Jamieson

In pursuing Mode S, the Government are conscious of the implications for all users and will only require Elementary Mode S Surveillance in the open Flight Information Region where the safety benefits are the prime consideration. Moreover, this requirement will not be made mandatory till 2008 to coincide with an ICAO transponder rule change, thereby resulting in a single regulatory change which will minimise the impact on recreational flying.

The CAA is consulting appropriate user groups and published advanced information on the Government's Mode S proposals in an Aeronautical Information Circular (Number 88/2001) in December 2001. The Mode S and transponder carriage requirements will be subject to formal consultation and submission of a Regulatory Impact Assessment in due course.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assistance he has given to the airline industry since the 11 September terrorist attacks. [32530]

Mr. Jamieson

The Government acted quickly to underwrite, on a temporary basis, third party war risk insurance for UK airlines and service providers to the airline industry. This is an initiative which has subsequently been widely copied elsewhere, and the UK has now extended the scheme to 20 March.

On Thursday 13 December 2001, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions announced a package of up to £40 million in financial assistance designed to compensate airlines for the closure of US, Israeli and central London airspace in the period immediately following the terrorist attacks. 12 claims for assistance under this scheme have been received and these are currently being examined. We expect to make payments shortly.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures have been introduced since 11 September 2001 to improve security onboard aircraft and at airports. [32533]

Mr. Jamieson

Following the attacks on 11 September, heightened aviation security measures were introduced at all UK airports and for all airlines operating from the UK. Security still remains at an enhanced level. However, to divulge details of the measures would undermine their effectiveness.

Mr. Wray

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what measures have been introduced since 1997 to assist United Kingdom aviation; and if he will make a statement. [32532]

Mr. Jamieson

The Government are actively committed to the UK aviation industry. Since 1997 we have secured significant additional rights for UK carriers in a number of bilateral markets, such as Japan, India, South Africa and Singapore. We have also liberalised access to UK regional airports.

A number of large investment projects have been approved since 1997 at major UK airports. In addition we have provided that financially sound local authority owned airport companies can be removed from central government borrowing control. The companies operating Leeds-Bradford, Manchester, Newcastle and Norwich airports were removed from borrowing control with effect from 1 April 1999.

A public-private partnership has been established for National Air Traffic Services, to provide private sector finance and project management expertise for a major capital investment programme. The new air traffic control centre at Swanwick was successfully brought into operation on 27 January this year.

Later this year the Government are committed to issuing a White Paper on air transport, the first comprehensive policy statement in this area since the 1980s. It will be a wide-ranging document, setting out a policy framework for the future of aviation and airports in the UK, looking ahead 30 years.