British Embassy, Washington

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To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many staff from the Civil Aviation Authority are attached to the embassy in Washington; and what are their grades and functions.

A member of the staff of the Civil Aviation Authority serves on secondment to the embassy as civil air attach-eacute;. This post is graded at DS4 (equivalent to HCS5). The civil air attach-eacute;s functions are as follows:

(i) to ensure that CAA senior management is kept aware of FAA policy and technological developments in respect of air traffic services, aviation safety regulation and related research and development

(ii) to foster and develop further an harmonious relationship between the CAA and FAA based on mutual respect;

(iii) to provide technical information to the CAA on FAA intentions and programmes, to ensure compatibility on subsequent international approaches, and to minimise nugatory effort by the CAA;

(iv) to ensure that the CAA and FAA are each aware of any potential interactions of their policy decisions;

(v) to advise FAA of CAA interests and to ensure these are adequately considered in the formation of FAA policy;

(vi) to act as a focal point for CAA enquiries on technical issues at the working level; and

(vii) to advise HM Ambassador on matters relating to air traffic services and the safety regulation of civil aviation operations.

Volume 177: debated on Monday 15 October 1990