8 Oct 2007 : Column 79W

Alan Simpson: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how compliance with Civil Aviation Authority guidance on the use of oxygen masks in air contamination incidents is monitored and enforced. [154324]

Jim Fitzpatrick: The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) has advised that UK air operators whose aircraft are required to be fitted with oxygen equipment must provide guidance to crews on its use in air contamination incidents. This guidance must be retained in their Operations Manual which is checked in the course of normal oversight by the Flight Operations Inspector.

Compliance with the guidance in the event of incidents will be monitored by routine review of Air Safety Reports and Mandatory Occurrence reports. Non-compliance would be raised formally with the aircraft operator, who would be required to propose and implement measures to ensure future compliance.