He has a challenging job in the real world, working for a profit-making private company and not sponging off the taxpayer in politics, journalism or the civil service. The Government support on environmental grounds the removal of the international ban on the taxation of aviation fuel. We shall continue to pursue the issue in the forum of the International Civil Aviation Organisation. My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for that full answer. I declare an interest as president of the Aviation Environment Federation.
Aviation fuel is currently untaxed throughout Europe.
My Lords, I certainly agree that aviation fuel is a significant contributor to global warming and I have no reason to doubt my noble friend's figures. However, an independent study commissioned by the European Union confirms that taxing aviation fuel only in the EU would have very little environmental effect and would discriminate against British and European carriers. Taxing air fuel at the same rate as car fuel would be wildly unpopular and would put up the cost of air travel preposterously. My Lords, I do not think that my noble friend Lord Berkeley has taken leave of his senses. He has asked a responsible question that relates to the environmental issues and to equity between countries.