HC Deb 20 July 1999 vol 335 c482W
Mr. Paul Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what plans he has to investigate the safety issues relating to Kapton wiring in planes; and if he will make a statement. [91541]

Ms Glenda Jackson

The Civil Aviation Authority has no evidence that the use of Kapton wiring in civil aircraft is a safety issue. There has been only one case recorded on the Authority's occurrence database since 1979 where investigations have shown that a breakdown of Kapton wiring may have contributed to an incident (which was not an accident), and that was subsequently found to be the result of a manufacturing fault.

The use of Kapton wiring in aircraft manufacture and maintenance is decreasing as new, improved products have become available.