Deep Vein Thrombosis (Hansard, 19 November 2003)

§ Mrs. Iris Robinson
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what research studies he has(a) commissioned and (b) received on alternative designs for the layout of aeroplane cabins to minimise the risk of deep vein thrombosis. [138979]

§ Mr. McNulty
The Government has neither commissioned nor received any such studies. Following the House of Lords Report on air travel and health, the Government is co-funding research through the World Health Organisation into the incidence and possible causes of deep vein thrombosis amongst air travellers.

§ Mr. Paul Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many incidents of deep vein thrombosis in passengers on aeroplanes there were in each of the last 12 months. [139608]

§ Mr. McNulty
This data is not collated centrally. Such data would be difficult to obtain as any passenger developing thrombosis is usually likely to do so a number of days or weeks after the flight has taken place.

§ Mr. Paul Marsden
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what guidance he has issued to airline companies on informing passengers on(a) the risk of deep vein thrombosis and (b) drinking water during the flight to reduce the risk of DVT. [139694]

§ Mr. McNulty
In 2001 the Government issued advice on deep vein thrombosis and air travel. It identified groups of people with a higher risk of DVT and provided guidance on measures to reduce the risk, including a recommendation that passengers should drink plenty of water to avoid dehydration. All UK airlines operating long-haul flights have based the information they give to passengers on this advice.