§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Transport what new safety measures are now being taken to improve evacuation standards on aircraft in consequence of the Boeing 737 fire at Manchester international airport on 22 August 1985; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RidleyAs I have explained to the right hon. Member, aviation safety requirements and standards are the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority.
The CAA has recently announced three new mandatory airworthiness instructions for UK airlines:
582W(1)The date by which all passenger seats must meet more stringent fire resistance standards has been brought forward from 1 December 1987 to 1 July 1987.
(2)By 1 July 1986, access to overwing emergency exits of the type used in Manchester B737 accident must be improved.
(3)By 1 December 1987, floor level emergency escape path lighting must be provided.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport when his Department and the Civil Aviation Authority, respectively, first became aware that loss of life in aviation accidents would be reduced by the use of less flammable material on aircraft seats.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerCivil aviation safety matters are the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. The CAA has advised it has for some time been clear that potential loss of life would be reduced by the introduction of more fire resistant seats. The timing, however, of such a requirement was dependent on the availability of effective and practical materials in production quantities.
§ Mr. Dobsonasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to the estimated cost of an average airline seat upholstered with fire resistant material compared with one upholstered in current materials.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe Civil Aviation Authority is statutorily responsible for aviation safety requirements and standards and I have drawn the hon. Gentleman's question to the attention of the chairman, who will reply direct to him.