Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have received any representations from (1) Ryanair, or (2) any other interested parties, concerning the compatibility of that airline's requirement for South African passport holders to take an Afrikaans language test, with (a) entry requirements, and (b) anti-discrimination legislation.
Answered by Baroness Vere of Norbiton - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
The recent language test requirement for passengers travelling with Ryanair is not a UK Government requirement. The FCDO’s Post in South Africa has confirmed this via its social media channels and has been in touch with South Africa’s Department for International Relations and Cooperation. My officials have engaged with Ryanair on this matter and they have since confirmed that the language test is no longer in use.
Asked by: Lord Boateng (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they have received any representations regarding the suspension of British Airways services to Freetown; whether they have made an assessment of the economic impact of that suspension for Sierra Leone; and what advice, if any, they have given British Airways on the matter.
Answered by Baroness Kramer - Liberal Democrat Lords Spokesperson (Treasury and Economy)
The government of Sierra Leone has made representations and enquiries regarding direct flights between the UK and Sierra Leone, including the British Airways decision to suspend services. The UK Government is not in a position to make an assessment of the economic impact of British Airways suspending its service to Freetown and has not been asked to give British Airways advice on what was a commercial decision. The Government’s subsequent decision not to permit direct scheduled air services between Sierra Leone and the UK as part of the Government’s overall strategy to mitigate the risk of Ebola entering the UK remains unchanged at this time.