Lord Tyler asked Her Majesty's Government: In light of the Building Research Establishment's investigation of cabin air quality for the Civil Aviation Authority, whether the Establishment receives income from firms with a potential conflict of interest. [HL4093]

Lord Davies of Oldham: The BRE (Building Research Establishment) receives its income from its clients; which include private companies, Government Departments, national governments, independent public organisations like the CAA, and the European Commission.

BRE is owned by BRE Trust, a registered Charity, whose objectives are through research and education, to advance knowledge, innovation and communication in all matters concerning the environment for public benefit.

The Trust structure is designed to ensure that BRE remains independent of commercial interests, is alert to the possibility of conflicts of interest, and safeguards BRE’s international reputation for objectivity and impartiality.

The BRE work referred to was commissioned and paid for by the Department for Transport for the Aviation Health Working Group. It is available on the Department’s website. DFT has no reason to suppose that the work done for it on cabin air quality was in any way undermined/compromised by conflicts of interest.

1 March 2006