To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what inspections are undertaken by his Department or the Civil Aviation Authority on the mechanical fitness of aircraft; how many aircraft have been inspected in each of the last five years; and if he will list by airline operator the number of defects found for each of the last five years. [36709]

I refer to the Viscount Goschen's letter of 30 August explaining the CAA's policy on aircraft surveys, a copy of which has been placed in the Library. The numbers of surveys carried out on aircraft above 5,700 kg maximum total weight authorised—which include all large passenger aircraft—in each of the last five years were as follows:

• 1989: 1,206
• 1990: 1,120
• 1991: 1,096
• 1992: 1,056
• 1993: 835
• 1994: 732

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list by defect found the number of aircraft found to have defects during the last 12 months at inspections undertaken by his Department or the Civil Aviation Authority. [36710]

The Department does not undertake aircraft inspections. The information in relation to inspections undertaken by the Civil Aviation Authority can be obtained only at disproportionate cost.