LASER PEN ATTACKS ON AIRCRAFT

Early day motion 526, tabled 13 September 2012 by Greg Mulholland (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 17 members.

That this House believes that more should be done to prevent laser pen attacks on aircraft due to the danger caused to passengers and crew of such actions distracting pilots and temporarily impairing their vision; recognises that such attacks could lead to a loss of control of any particular aircraft leading to potentially devastating and life-threatening consequences; notes the additional concern that aircraft including helicopters may come under attack while on urgent journeys and such time delays could place others at unnecessary risk or inconvenience; further notes the mindless and often malicious nature of such attacks, which have not decreased significantly in number or frequency despite the new legislation introduced in 2011; welcomes the work of the Civil Aviation Authority in analysing the nature of such attacks and working alongside local police to apprehend those responsible but notes that the lack of significant reduction in incidents indicates more should be done; and calls on the Department for Transport to consider further action to tackle the problem and ensure those responsible are caught and appropriately punished.

Signatures by party: Labour 10, Liberal Democrat 3, DUP 2, Conservative 1, Respect 1.