Oral Answers to Questions

Fiona Onasanya Excerpts

Thursday 19th October 2017 Commons Chamber

[Sir Desmond Swayne (New Forest West) (Con)]

2. What steps his Department is taking to prepare the civil aviation sector for the UK leaving the EU.

[Fiona Onasanya (Peterborough) (Lab)]

5. What assessment he has made of the potential effect on the aviation sector of the UK leaving the EU.

[The Secretary of State for Transport (Chris Grayling)]

We want our future relationship with the European Union to be mutually beneficial. It is in the interests of both sides to maintain closely integrated aviation markets. However, it is the Government’s responsibility to prepare for all potential outcomes. The Government continue to work closely with the aviation sector to ensure the industry continues to be a major success story for the British economy.

[Chris Grayling]

My right hon. Friend makes a good point. Those with any concerns about 2019 just have to answer the question: how many hotels in Spain would be empty if the Spanish Government choose not to continue our aviation arrangements? That is why we will continue to make good progress towards satisfactory arrangements for the future.

[Fiona Onasanya]

In light of that answer, can the Secretary of State give an assurance that the Government will pursue an unchanged operating environment for the aviation sector in the Brexit negotiations with the EU?

[Chris Grayling]

I can give the hon. Lady that assurance. We believe it would benefit all the nations of Europe to continue the freedom of the aviation sector that we have seen over the past decade and more. That freedom particularly benefits regional economies and regional airports across the European Union, in this country and elsewhere. It would be foolish for anyone to try to stop that freedom.