The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government: Whether they will commission epidemiological and clinical studies of airline pilots and crew who have flown British Aerospace BAe 146 aircraft with a view to ascertaining whether pilots and crew are exposed to contaminated air; and, if so, whether chronic health effects result. [HL1638]

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Aviation Health Working Group, an inter-departmental body founded in 2001 to consider aviation health issues, is currently assessing evidence submitted by the British Airline Pilots Association on the issue of the possible health effects of contaminated cabin air. Depending on the results of this review, being carried out by an expert Toxicology Committee of the Department of Health, the Government may commission research into the nature and extent of the problem.

October 2005