§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has had during the last six months in support of the introduction of regulations requiring the provision of smoke hoods in passenger transport aircraft.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe Civil Aviation Authority is wholly responsible for aviation safety regulation. A66W number of representations concerning the provision of passenger smoke hoods have been discussed with the chairman.
§ Mr. SheermanTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) if he will make a statement on the results of the aircraft evacuation tests carried out by Linacre college at Teesside airport in connection with the donning of smoke hoods;
(2) what survey information he has concerning passenger acceptability of smoke hoods;
(3) when the Civil Aviation Authority expects to publish its cost-benefit analysis of safety measures to improve air passenger transport protection.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyAll aspects of civil aviation safety regulation, including passenger evacuation and the provision of passenger smoke hoods, are the statutory responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. I understand that the authority intends shortly to announce the results of its considerations into the provision of passenger smoke hoods. I will draw the hon. Member's questions to the attention of the chairman of the authority.