Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the loss to the Egyptian economy if the ban on Sharm El Sheikh continues within the World Tourism Market, to be held at Earls Court on 4 November.
Answered by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon - Minister of State (Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office)
Despite Her Majesty's Government's ban on flights to Sharm El Sheikh, British tourists continue to visit Egypt. Our Travel Advice does not advise against travel to many parts of Egypt. So far this year, UK tourists have contributed over $153 million to the Egyptian economy. Britain is the number two western European country in terms of numbers of tourists in Egypt.
The Egyptian Tourism Minister stated in 2015 that flight suspensions following the Metrojet attack had resulted in direct losses estimated at $280 million a month to the Egyptian economy. This figure included the impact of flight suspensions by a number of countries.
We know the importance of tourism in Sharm El Sheikh and are in constant dialogue with the Egyptian government. Our Travel Advice can have trade and political implications, but we do not let this determine the advice we give. The safety of British nationals has to be our main concern.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have collected any data on consumer demand in the UK to be able to travel on direct flights to Sharm El Sheikh; and if so, what assessment they have made of that data.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Government took the decision to change travel advice against all but essential travel by air to Sharm El Sheikh as the safety and security of the public is our primary concern. We will not hesitate in putting in place any measures that we believe are necessary, effective and proportionate.
This decision was based on security rather than economic grounds. The Government does not collect information on the economic value of outbound flights to specific global destinations and the value of them to the UK travel market.
We look forward to achieving the return of flights to Sharm el Sheikh, once we can be assured of there being the necessary secure and sustainable security situation.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the economic impact on the UK travel industry of the ban on direct flights between the UK and Sharm el Sheikh airport since the ban was imposed in 2015.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
We do not collect information on the economic value of outbound flights to specific global destinations and the value of them to the UK travel market. Therefore, it is difficult to make any assessment of the impact on the UK economy, since holidaymakers who would have booked to visit Sharm El Sheikh may have booked flights to other destinations instead. This would still benefit the UK travel industry.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Digital, Culture, Media & Sport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the loss to the UK travel industry if the ban on Sharm el Sheikh continues within the World Tourism Market, to be held at Earls Court on 4 November.
Answered by Lord Ashton of Hyde
We do not collect information on the economic value of outbound flights to specific global destinations and the value of them to the UK travel market. Therefore, it is difficult to make any assessment of the impact on the UK economy, since holidaymakers who would have booked to visit Sharm El Sheikh may have booked flights to other destinations instead. This would still benefit the UK travel industry.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the extent to which the ban on flights between the UK and Sharm El Sheikh contributed to the bankruptcy of Monarch Airlines.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The reality is that there is intense price competition in the aviation market, particularly on low-cost short-haul routes operated by Monarch. I note that there are other airlines who used to fly from the UK to Sharm el Sheikh who are still in business.
The security of British nationals is our top priority, and we took the decision to suspend flights from Sharm el Sheikh in 2015 to protect the travelling public.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what is their current risk assessment of Sharm El Sheikh Airport.
Answered by Baroness Sugg
The Department for Transport carries out regular assessments of aviation security at all last points of departure airports to the UK from Egypt. It is long standing government policy not to comment, or publish, details on security matters. We look forward to achieving the return of flights once we can be assured that the necessary security environment can be sustained.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will publish the report arising from the most recent inspection of Sharm El Sheikh airport.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Transport carries out regular assessments of aviation security at all last points of departure airports to the UK from Egypt. It is long standing government policy not to comment, or publish, details on security matters. However the Government works closely with international partners, including airlines, airports and the Egyptian Government, on security standards. The Government hopes to be in a position to change travel advice to enable flights to the UK from Sharm El Sheikh as soon as security conditions allow.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask Her Majesty's Government what measurements of safety levels they apply to Sharm El Sheikh airport.
Answered by Lord Callanan - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Energy Security and Net Zero)
The Department for Transport carries out regular assessments of aviation security at all last points of departure airports to the UK from Egypt. It is long standing government policy not to comment, or publish, details on security matters. However the Government works closely with international partners, including airlines, airports and the Egyptian Government, on security standards. The Government hopes to be in a position to change travel advice to enable flights to the UK from Sharm El Sheikh as soon as security conditions allow.
Asked by: Lord Risby (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, in the light of the 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the UK and Ukraine, what programmes are in place to support Ukraine's independence, and our bilateral relationship.
Answered by Baroness Anelay of St Johns
The UK is using a number of Government funding streams in Ukraine, including the Conflict Stability and Security Fund and the Global Britain Fund. In the Financial Year 2016/17 the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is administering approximately £28 million worth of programme work covering a number of areas such as support to the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe, EU Advisory Mission, demining and defence, anti-corruption, public administration reform, strategic communications, and reform of the business and economic environment.