The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government: What is their response to the invitation to take part in the United States Federal Aviation Authority-funded research project into contaminated air in commercial aircraft. [HL1640]

Lord Davies of Oldham: The Government welcomes the fact that in the United States the Federal Aviation Authority has agreed to fund a feasibility study of air quality in commercial aircraft, designed by the Occupational Health Research Consortium in Aviation. In the UK, 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 same topic. Depending on the results of this review, being carried out by an expert Toxicology Committee of the Department of Health, the Government may commission its own study into the nature and extent of the problem. Officials in the Department of Health are in contact with the Principal Investigator for the FAA study so that our respective initiatives will be coordinated.

October 2005