21 Mar 2006 : Column 241W

Cabin Air Supply

Mr. Ellwood: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport pursuant to the answer of 30 January 2006, Official Report, column 17W, to the hon. Member for Tamworth (Mr. Jenkins), on cabin air supply, what progress has been made in assessing the merits of participating in Federal Aviation Administration research into cabin air quality and long-term health. [59654]

Derek Twigg: We are awaiting the outcome of the evidence review being conducted by the independent Committee on Toxicity (COT) before taking a view. The COT process should provide us with a clearer idea of any future research requirements and place us in a better position to evaluate possible participation in the American study funded by the FAA. The FAA funding was not, of course, reliant on UK participation.