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Written Question
Aviation: Industrial Disputes
Monday 13th November 2023

Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to use the provisions of the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act 2023 to override a pilot's discretion to make the final decision as to whether the aircraft takes off as provided under international aviation regulations.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Any decisions by the pilot in command of an aircraft made in accordance with relevant aviation safety requirements, with regard to the safety of a particular flight, would not constitute industrial action. Such decisions are therefore outside of the scope of Part V of the Trade Union and Labour Relations (Consolidation) Act 1992 and the amendments being made to that Part by the Strikes (Minimum Service Levels) Act.


Written Question
Railway Stations: Cambridge
Monday 24th July 2023

Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government what discussions they have had with Greater Anglia Railways about planned ticket office closures at Cambridge railway station; and what opportunities there are for (1) the public, and (2) parliamentarians, to express their views on the proposals.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

To propose any changes to the opening hours, or the closure of ticket offices, train operating companies must follow the process set out in the Ticketing and Settlement Agreement.

Train operators must consult on any proposed changes, advertising them at the relevant stations and inviting members of the public who wish to comment on the proposal to write to the relevant passenger body (either Transport Focus or London TravelWatch) within a 21-day period. Greater Anglia Railways has set out its proposals on its website.

Parliamentarians are encouraged to raise any concerns with the relevant Passenger Bodies through the established consultation process. Further detail of how to do this can be found on station posters or on the Train Operating Company websites.


Written Question
Aviation: Training
Monday 3rd July 2023

Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, following the closure of three flight schools this year, what further financial protection they intend to give trainee pilots from UK flight school failures.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Responsibility for regulating flying training in the UK rests with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA’s approval of a flying school or training establishment as an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) are designed to provide confidence that they are able to perform their operations safely. However, as the CAA does not regulate the ongoing financial viability of flying schools or clubs, approval to conduct flight training does not imply any certification of financial stability. I have asked my officials to engage with the CAA to consider this in more detail.


Written Question
Aviation: Training
Monday 3rd July 2023

Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government how, if at all, they intend to improve the financial regulation of UK flight schools.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Responsibility for regulating flying training in the UK rests with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA’s approval of a flying school or training establishment as an Approved Training Organisation (ATO) are designed to provide confidence that they are able to perform their operations safely. However, as the CAA does not regulate the ongoing financial viability of flying schools or clubs, approval to conduct flight training does not imply any certification of financial stability. I have asked my officials to engage with the CAA to consider this in more detail.


Written Question
Aviation: EU Law
Tuesday 21st February 2023

Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Balfe and Lord Callanan on 6 February (HL Deb cols 1062–83), whether the Minister is now in a position to write in response the points raised regarding aviation.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

As Lord Callanan stated, the Government are committed to maintaining comprehensive safety standards, including in aviation. Officials engage with industry regularly, including through the industry engagement forum, to ensure their views as to how best to use the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill to achieve this are taken into account. Moreover, officials will meet with BALPA to discuss the specific issues raised by Lord Balfe, in order to better understand concerns, and clarify the discussion had at that forum.


Written Question
Transport: EU Law
Tuesday 21st February 2023

Asked by: Lord Balfe (Conservative - Life peer)

Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask His Majesty's Government, further to the remarks by Lord Callanan on 6 February (HL Deb col 1082), when the Department for Transport industry engagement forum will next meet to discuss the impact of the Retained EU Law (Revocation and Reform) Bill on that industry.

Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

This forum is next scheduled to meet on 14th March.


Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 26 Oct 2022
Seafarers’ Wages Bill [HL]

Speech Link

View all Lord Balfe (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Seafarers’ Wages Bill [HL]

Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 26 Oct 2022
Seafarers’ Wages Bill [HL]

Speech Link

View all Lord Balfe (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Seafarers’ Wages Bill [HL]

Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 20 Jul 2022
Seafarers’ Wages Bill [HL]

Speech Link

View all Lord Balfe (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Seafarers’ Wages Bill [HL]

Speech in Lords Chamber - Wed 11 May 2022
Queen’s Speech

Speech Link

View all Lord Balfe (Con - Life peer) contributions to the debate on: Queen’s Speech