§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with the chairmen of the Civil Aviation Authority and the airlines about the installation of water sprinklers in the cabins of civil aircraft; what testing of this equipment has taken place; and what assessment has been made of the merits of such equipment with respect to the effects of aircraft fires and the avoidance of long-term risks of physical damage to the passenger.
§ Mr. McLoughlinMy Department has kept in close touch on this matter with the Civil Aviation Authority, which has the statutory responsibility for matters of aviation safety. An extensive international programme of tests on water sprays has taken place with promising results so far. A further series of tests to study the effect of water sprays on passengers evacuating an aircraft will commence shortly; these will be conducted by the Cranfield Institute of Technology using the Fire Research Station's facility at Cardington and be sponsored by the CAA. The introduction into service of a water spray system would require international agreement and involve extensive consultation with the airline industry.
§ Sir Michael McNair-WilsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions are taking place with his European counterparts about introducing common air safety standards on all EC-based airlines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. McLoughlinOn 16 December 1991 the EC Council of Transport Ministers adopted Regulation (EEC) No. 3922–91 on the harmonisation of technical requirements and administrative procedures in the field of civil aviation. This will ensure common safety and technical standards for EC aviation.
The United Kingdom continues to play a significant part in the work of the European Joint Aviation Authorities which is drawing up further safety standards with a view to their being adopted by the EC under the harmonization regulation.