To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what legislation governs the payment of compensation by airlines for injury or damage occurring accidentally while in flight; what representations she has received on this issue; and if she will make a statement. (190858)

Passengers must always take their own legal advice in relation to claims. Article 17 of the 1999 Montreal Convention provides that the carrier is liable for damage sustained in the event of death or bodily injury of a passenger upon condition only that the accident which caused the death or injury took place on board the aircraft or in the course of embarking or disembarking. The amount of compensation is governed by article 21. The Montreal Convention is given effect in the United Kingdom by the Carriage by Air Acts (Implementation of the Montreal Convention 1999) Order 2002, which came into force on 28 June 2004. The Department is not aware of any recent representations on this issue.