§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what assessment he has made of studies into the transmission of disease through the air filter systems of passenger aircraft; and if he will make a statement. [9615]
§ Mr. JamiesonConsultants commissioned by the Government have reviewed published studies on the transmission of disease in aircraft cabins and have made two medium/low priority recommendations for further research. We are currently considering these recommendations. The House of Lords Select Committee Report on Air Travel and Health, on the basis of the evidence presented to it, concluded that
the modern aircraft cabin environment generally poses no greater risk of transmission of infection between its occupants than crowded situations elsewhere—and may, indeed, be safer than most of them".
§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions if he will seek an international agreement to speed up the replacement of air filters on passenger aircraft. [9616]
§ Mr. JamiesonSince the use of aircraft cabin air filters is not mandatory, an international agreement on the timing of their replacement is inappropriate. It is for airlines to select a suitable maintenance regime that would ensure industry or in-house performance standards are met.
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§ Mr. SandersTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what his policy is on the replacement of aircraft air filters; and if he will make a statement. [9614]
§ Mr. JamiesonUse of aircraft cabin air filters is not mandatory. Therefore it is for airlines to select an appropriate maintenance regime that would ensure industry or in-house performance standards are met.