§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what steps are taken to prevent airline pilots from operating an aircraft under the influence of alcohol; [67571]
(2) how many aircraft pilots and crew have been found under the influence of (a) alcohol and (b) drugs in the past year. [67574]
§ Mr. JamiesonIt is an offence under the Air Navigation Order 2000 for aircraft pilots to carry out their duties whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs. As part of the process for obtaining an Air Operator Certificate from the Civil Aviation Authority, airlines are required to establish policies on alcohol and drugs to ensure compliance with this provision. The detailed implementation of such policies is a matter for the airlines. In addition, pilots have to undergo regular medical examinations which will pay attention to any evidence of excess alcohol intake or substance abuse. The Authority is not aware of any UK licensed professional pilots flying whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs, in the past year.
We intend to enhance the statutory provisions by introducing a prescribed blood/alcohol limit for safety critical personnel in aviation, and powers to allow police to test suspected offenders, at an appropriate legislative opportunity.
§ Mr. Jim CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many commercial aircraft have not met safety requirements in the past year. [67573]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for the implementation of safety standards for all UK registered aircraft and airlines. Its Safety Regulation Group audits and inspects aircraft and airlines on an on-going and systematic basis and takes appropriate regulatory action as and where necessary.
Operators of commercial aircraft must hold an Air Operator Certificate which places on them responsibilities to ensure that any aircraft is fit to make its intended flight. If an aircraft is not fit to make a particular flight the operator will correct the problem before allowing the aircraft to fly. As a result, UK registered aircraft should not fly commercial operations unless they meet safety requirements and the CAA is not aware of any that have done so in the past year.
Should an aircraft not he fit to make an intended flight as a consequence of one of the conditions which must be reported under the CAA's Mandatory Occurrence 799W Reporting Scheme, the operator will advise the Authority accordingly, thus meeting the safety requirements placed upon them.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had with and representations he has received from(a) the Health and Safety Executive, (b) National Air Traffic Services and (c) the CAA on safety breaches by low-cost airlines; and if he will make a statement; [63975]
(2) if he will list (a) published and (b) unpublished reports on safety of (i) airlines and (ii) National Air Traffic Services prepared by (1) the Health and Safety Executive and (2) the Civil Aviation Authority since 1 June 2001; and if he will make a statement; [63977]
(3) what recent assessments have been made of the safety of (a) airlines and (b) National Air Traffic Services by (i) the Health and Safety Executive and (ii) the Civil Aviation Authority since 1 June 2001; and if he will make a statement. [63976]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is responsible for the implementation of safety standards for National Air Traffic Services Limited (NATS) and all UK registered airlines. Its Safety Regulation Group audits and inspects these companies on an on-going and systematic basis and takes appropriate regulatory action as and where necessary. There are statutory prohibitions on disclosing information supplied to the CAA in its safety regulatory capacity and the authority does not publish the reports of its inspections of airlines or NATS. Public disclosure of such reports, related to specific companies, could have an adverse effect on the openness and effectiveness of the established auditing and reporting procedures. Evidence of any concerns regarding the safety of a UK registered airline should be reported to the CAA for further investigation.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has made one recent assessment in connection with NATS which concerned the possible risks to health of those operating the air traffic control system at Swanwick. The ensuing report was sent to NATS and to representatives of the relevant employees. There are statutory restrictions on the disclosure of information obtained by the HSE in pursuance of its powers that apply to this report.