DEPARTMENT FOR
TRANSPORT News Release (139) issued by The Government News Network
on 9 October 2007
The Secretary of
State for Transport, Ruth Kelly, announced today that Sir Joseph
Pilling will be leading the strategic review of the UK's
aviation regulator, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA).
The decision to hold a review was set out in March 2007, in the
Government's response to the House of Commons Transport
Committee inquiry into the CAA's work. The review will
consider the structure, scope and organisation of the CAA with a
view to ensuring that the UK's arrangements for aviation
regulation and policy making are fit for purpose and able to meet
current and future challenges. The review will take account of the
Eddington Transport Study, the Stern Report, best practice in
corporate governance and the regulatory framework which now exists
in the EU with the creation of the European Aviation Safety Agency
and Single European Sky.
Ruth Kelly said:
"Sir Joseph Pilling has an excellent record of leadership
and wide experience of organisations and I am delighted that he
has agreed to conduct this review. The CAA is recognised
throughout the world for its expertise, which is demonstrated by
the UK's exemplary aviation safety record. However, the
aviation world has changed considerably since 1971 when the CAA
was established, and this review will ensure that the organisation
is ready to take on the challenges of the future."
Sir Joseph will be seeking the views of the aviation industry and
other stakeholders. The review is expected to conclude in 2008,
and its report will be made available on the Department for
Transport website.
Sir Joseph Pilling said:
"I look forward to engaging with the CAA and other
organisations interested in this review. With their help the
review should be able to identify what should be done so that the
CAA can continue and improve its performance in the changing
context of the next decade."
Notes for Editors
1. Sir Joseph Pilling was Permanent Secretary at the Northern
Ireland Office from 1997-2005. He also worked in the Department of
Health and the Home Office. He chaired a group which produced a
report on senior appointments in the Church of England earlier
this year. Additionally he chairs the Koestler Trust, which
encourages the arts amongst prisoners, and is a trustee of
Macmillan Cancer Support and a member of the council of the
University of London.
2. The House of Commons Transport Committee (chair Gwyneth
Dunwoody MP) held an inquiry into the work of the CAA in 2006. The
report commented that the CAA operated well against its remit but
recommended that a review of the organisation be carried out
because of the developments in the UK aviation industry. The full
report can be downloaded at:
3. The Government accepted this recommendation in March 2007. The
terms of reference for the review can be found on the DFT website
at http://www.dft.gov.uk/pgr/aviation/domestic/caareview2007.
4. This review is complementary to (but separate from) the
Competition Commission enquiry into BAA, which may lead to changes
in CAA's specific powers for the economic regulation of airports.
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Department for Transport
Website: http://www.dft.gov.uk