Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if his Department will introduce legislative proposals to address the shining of lasers at aircraft and other vehicles.

After considerable work with the UK Laser working group and across Whitehall, the Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill contained clauses making it an offence to shine or direct a laser at a vehicle, designed to strengthen existing legislation to address the risk of lasers being used maliciously against aircraft and other vehicles.

Unfortunately the Vehicle Technology and Aviation Bill fell upon prorogation. To provide further certainty to pilots and the wider public, the Department for Transport is continuing to look at other legislative vehicles to strengthen existing legislation.