Lords Committee to quiz government officials on civil use of drones
On Monday 13 October the Lords investigation into the civil use of drones gets underway with its first evidence session.
Government officials from the Department of Transport, and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills, will give evidence, answering questions on safety, EU regulation, economic benefit and national security.
The inquiry by the House of Lords EU Sub-Committee on the Internal Market, Infrastructure and Employment is looking at the civilian use of drones in the EU, and expects to report back by early 2015.
On Monday at 4.15pm evidence will be heard from Paul Cremin, Head of UK Aviation Safety, SAFA & Permits Branch, Department for Transport; Andrew Simms, Deputy Director, International Aviation Safety and Environment, Department for Transport; and Andrew Horton, Senior Technical Policy Advisor, Department for Business, Innovation and Skills.
Questions the witnesses will face on Monday include:
- Is there a need for EU-wide legislation in the first place?
- How do the EU's ideas for regulation compare to guidelines in other areas such as the US?
- The UK is already adhering to strict regulations – could further regulation end up hampering its future competitiveness?
- How close is the UK to developing the necessary technology which will enable drones to “detect and avoid” collisions automatically?
- How much of a threat to national security does the new breed of lightweight and affordable drones pose?
The evidence session will start at 4.15pm on Monday 13 October in Committee Room 2 of the House of Lords.
The session will be webcast at www.parliamentlive.tv and is also open to the public. Journalists wishing to attend should go to Parliament's Cromwell Green Entrance and should allow time for security screening.
