Gillingham and Rainham MP, Rehman Chishti, has today presented a Bill to Parliament to regulate the sale, ownership and usage of dangerous laser pens. This is the second time that Mr Chishti has introduced the Bill, which has cross-party support.
Mr Chishti said, “Last year there were over 1,300 incidents where laser pens were used to target both civilian and military aircraft and transport infrastructure. High-powered laser pens are putting the public safety at risk. I look forward to a positive outcome to the Government’s work towards regulating their sale, ownership and use.”
The Bill is supported by the British Air Line Pilots’ Association and the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety.
Today, Mr Chishti also raised the issue of laser pen regulation in an Oral Parliamentary Question to Nick Hurd MP, the Minister of State at the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. In his response, Mr Hurd recognised the “persistence and passion” of Mr Chishti in pursuing this “very serious issue”. The Minister offered assurance that the Government is reviewing the matter “with a cross-Whitehall Group looking urgently now at our options, including the case for further legislation”.