Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the rise in the number of disruptive passenger incidents on flights to and from the UK in the past year.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
We are looking at the issue of disruptive passengers as part of the development of the Aviation Strategy.
The Government will continue to engage and meet with a broad range of operators in the aviation sector to monitor developments and to explore any further actions to support the industry’s efforts in this field.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government, in the light of recent reports that one in five cabin crew may have been physically assaulted during a flight, what estimate they have made of the number of cabin crew who are subjected to verbal, physical, or sexual abuse whilst working on UK flights.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Government does not collect specific data on the number of cabin crew who are subjected to verbal, physical, or sexual abuse whilst working on UK flights.
All staff working in the aviation sector should have a safe working environment and any instances of abuse, whether verbal, sexual or physical, are totally unacceptable. Any abuse should be reported to the police.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with the airline industry and the Civil Aviation Authority on issues relating to alcohol consumption on flights to and from the UK.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Government is in close contact with the industry and the Civil Aviation Authority on issues relating to disruptive passenger events, a proportion of which occur due to consumption of alcohol before and during a flight. The Government has taken part in several roundtable events to discuss all aspects of the issue, including but not limited to alcohol consumption.
The industry bodies have joined together to create the UK Aviation Industry Code of Practice on Disruptive Passengers, with the purpose of creating a common, consistent approach that co-ordinates and enhances existing efforts to prevent and minimise disruptive passenger behaviour.
The Government will continue to engage and meet with a broad range of operators in the aviation sector to explore any further actions to support the Code.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to continue the UK’s involvement with (1) the European Aviation Safety Agency, and (2) the European Union Railway Agency, following the UK’s departure from the EU.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including the implications for continued or discontinued participation in Commission Agencies such as the European Aviation Safety Agency and the EU Agency for Railways.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to convert Regulation (EU) 788/2014 relating to ship inspections into UK law; and, if so, which UK body will assume the Commission's role in identifying, assessing and punishing infringements by recognised organisations entrusted with the inspection, survey and certification of ships flying the Union Jack.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Regulation (EU) 788/2014 will be will be converted into UK Domestic Law as part of the repeal bill. It may then be appropriate to make some adjustments to this Regulation.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency will be responsible for the enforcement of this Regulation.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to convert EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004 relating to passenger rights during air travel into UK law; if so, what alterations will be made regarding the former intra-Community flights; and whether a resolution regarding the status of Gibraltar's airport is forthcoming.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Shadow Minister (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
The Government is considering carefully all the potential implications arising from the UK’s exit from the EU, including future arrangements for passenger rights. The Government plans to negotiate the best possible relationship between the UK and the EU in the field of aviation with a smooth and orderly transition.The Repeal Bill, introduced into the House of Commons on 13 July, will convert EU law as it stands at the moment of Exit into domestic law before we leave the EU. Application of EU Regulation (EC) 261/2004 to Gibraltar airport is currently suspended.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in pursuing the negotiations for Brexit, whether they will seek to retain the ability of passengers flying in the EU to claim compensation for delays and cancellations through EC Regulation 261/2004.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
The Government is considering the impacts of the decision to leave the European Union, including future arrangements for existing legislation. Until the UK leaves, EU law continues to apply, so we continue to comply with the existing directives and regulations, such as the common rules on compensation and assistance under Regulation (EC) 261/2004.
This government remains committed to putting passengers at the heart of our transport policy and ensuring we have the right regime for passenger rights in place.
Asked by: Baroness Hayter of Kentish Town (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in pursuing the negotiations for Brexit, whether they will maintain the UK's reciprocity under the Brussels 1 Regulation and the Motor Insurance Directive to allow victims of accidents to use their domestic courts to pursue insurance claims after an accident in another member state.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon
We want the best deal possible for the UK upon leaving the EU. The Department for Transport which has policy responsibility for motor insurance and the Ministry of Justice which leads on civil judicial cooperation (including the Brussels I recast Regulation), have been working closely with the Department for Exiting the European Union to consider options for the future relationship between the UK and the EU.