§ Mr. DunnTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he has yet reached a view on the mandatory provision of smoke hoods in aircraft; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RifkindThe CAA is today publishing a report on "Improving Passenger Survivability in Aircraft Fires—a Review" (CAP 586). In that document it reports its view that after a prolonged investigation of this matter, it believes that the compulsory provision of smokehoods would on balance not be in the interests of safety.
I have noted that the majority of expert opinion including the aviation safety authorities of other countries who have looked into this matter, share the CAA's conclusion. However, other views have been expressed and I welcome the CAA's assurance that it will keep under review all technological developments both in smoke-hoods and other survival techniques.