Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government how they are monitoring the growth in use of unmanned aerial vehicles ("drones"); and whether they consider the current legal framework is adequate for the purpose of regulating the use of drones.

Operators undertaking commercial aerial work using Remotely Piloted Aircraft need the permission of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). The CAA keeps a record of permissions given to those operators.

The regulation of small unmanned aircraft is specifically covered by two articles within the Air Navigation Order, which legislate for the ‘general’ flying aspects and the flight of those equipped for surveillance. However, as well as these specific articles, a more general article, which prevents a person ‘causing or permitting an aircraft to endanger the safety of any person or property’, also remains applicable.

We do not believe that any additional regulatory changes are needed to ensure adequate privacy and data protection.