Drones: RAF Bases

Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate Excerpts

Wednesday 27th November 2024 Lords Chamber

[Lord Naseby (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Con)]

My Lords—

[Lord Kennedy of Southwark (Lab Co-op)]

We will hear from the noble Lord, Lord Kirkhope.

[Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate (Con)]

As the operator of a registered drone under the CAA, my concerns are that in this country there is a considerable and increasing number of drones being operated by people illegally. They pose a direct threat, not only to military installations and the zones around our airfields, but around civil facilities. Can the Minister comment on how much policing is going on generally, and how many prosecutions of these illegal activities are taking place?

[Lord Coaker (Lab)]

The illegal use of drones is certainly an area of concern for us all. In terms of the numbers of prosecutions, the best thing for me to do, which would be of benefit to the noble Lord and the whole House, is for me to refer to my colleagues across government for a satisfactory answer. I shall then write to the noble Lord with the statistics he requests about what action is taking place, and put a copy of the letter in the Library.