Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what assessment he has made of air quality standards in piloted aircraft; and if he will make a statement.

Maintaining the safety record of UK aviation is something we take very seriously. That is why concerns raised about cabin air have been investigated at length in the UK and internationally over a number of years. These scientific research projects have not been able to confirm a link between perceived cabin air quality and illness, and show that the cabin/cockpit air quality is similar or better than what is observed in normal indoor environments.

The Government continues to support steps to further develop understanding of the air quality on board aircraft. The Aviation Health Unit within the Medical Department of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) will continue to monitor issues around cabin air as part of their wider role as specialist adviser to the Government on aviation health issues.