To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment she has made of the effects of the proposed EU emissions trading scheme on regional airlines providing services to remote communities; and what steps she plans to take to prevent the scheme undermining the viability of such services. (178665)

The impact on regional airlines has been assessed as part of the UK's policy development on this issue. The UK recognises the importance of air services to remote communities and therefore welcomes the recently agreed Council text which would exempt all flights operating under a public service obligation with an annual capacity threshold of less than 30,000 seats.