Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve Excerpts

Wednesday 5th November 2014 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, I agree that operators of unmanned aircraft must comply with privacy laws, which have significant penalties. Of course, in the wrong hands, these things can be damaging. We are working continuously, as is the CAA, to assess threats and make sure that we do not have the problems described. Obviously, government policy on some of this cannot be divulged, but privacy and taking great care in relation to terrorists and so on are very much on the mind of those developing this important technology.

[Baroness O'Neill of Bengarve (CB)]

Does the Minister agree that if privacy as well as security is to be maintained it is essential that any unmanned aircraft or drone has an identifier so that people can know whose drone it is and have a comeback?

[Baroness Neville-Rolfe]

My Lords, all of these unmanned aircraft are subject to the air navigation order and appropriate rules are in place.