§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what recent research he has commissioned into the level of risk to(a) passengers and (b) aircrew of circulatory disorders associated with commercial flying; and if he will make a statement. [147193]
Mr. Robert AinsworthWhen giving evidence to the recent House of Lords Inquiry into Air Travel and Health, the then Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, my hon. Friend the Member for Sunderland, South (Mr. Mullin) announced that we would be launching a study to identify those health issues related to air travel which are of most concern. This study will take into consideration the level of risk to both passengers and aircrew and will assess the existing research into circulatory disorders and other health issues that might be associated with air travel. In the light of the findings of this study, which should be published early in the summer, we will commission substantive research to fill any gaps in our knowledge which are revealed.
16WI am also aware that the CAA has funded some research, on behalf of the Joint Aviation Authorities, to consider the relationship between aircraft seat dimensions and passenger sizes. This research should be published shortly.