HC Deb 08 June 2004 vol 422 cc283-4W
Mr. John Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what plans he has to implement the recommendation of the ICE Ergonomics Ltd. Report of July 2001 commissioned by the Joint Aviation Authorities concerning the seat pitch on British passenger aircraft. [177147]

Mr. McNulty

On 28 September 2003 the European Safety Agency (EASA) assumed responsibility for the design standards of most aircraft manufactured and operated in the European Union. This includes standards for airline seat spacing. At the suggestion of the Joint Aviation Authorities (JAA), an investigation of all seat pitch issues has been added to the EASA rulemaking programme for 2005 onwards. It is expected that the EASA investigation will take full account of the ICE Ergonomics Ltd. report of Jury 2001.