§ Mr. ChidgeyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what assessment he has made of whether the current Civil Aviation Authority minimum seat pitch on aircraft is sufficient to allow for evacuation in an emergency; if he will review the CAA minimum seat pitch; and if he will make a statement;[8229]
492W(2) what checks are made to ensure that airlines comply with the Civil Aviation Authority minimum seat pitch. [8228]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Civil Aviation Authority has set minimum requirements relating to the spacing of passenger seats for aircraft on the UK register as it is one of a number of factors which can have an effect on the evacuation of an aircraft in an emergency. These standards were the results of a thorough assessment by the CAA. In addition to other tests, demonstration evacuations were carried out on two aircraft types before the standard was adopted.
Compliance with these standards on individual aircraft is initially checked by the CAA when it approves the aircraft's passenger cabin layout. While the operator of an aircraft is responsible for ensuring that the passenger cabin layout continues to meet the required standards, this will be the subject of checks as part of the CAA's on-going aircraft monitoring process.
I have no evidence to suggest that a review of these standards is necessary.