'HEADS IN THE SAND' ON TOXIC AIRLINES - TYLER

Liberal Democrat Peer, Lord Tyler, says Ministers are keeping their heads 'firmly in the sand' over evidence that toxic fumes leak into aircraft during flights.

In exchanges in the House, Lord Tyler challenged the Government to respond to a recent Panorama programme exposing the risk to passengers and crew but Transport Minister, Lord Bassam, said only 0.05% of flights were affected.

Commenting after the exchange, Lord Tyler said:

"Ministers admit that 1 in 2000 flights are affected by fume events.

"Even if that were the figure, it would still be cause for serious concern.  But we know from pilots that a great many incidents go unreported.

"Pilots, cabin crew and passengers all suffer the ill effects of engine oil leaking into cabin air supply.  We know that organophosphates in those oils can be lethal.

"The Government refuses even to meet with key campaigners to hear how people's lives have been affected.

"I just hope that we don't have to wait for a disaster, caused by a pilot's blackout, before they take Ministers take their heads out of the sand?"

The full exchange can be found at: http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/80521-0001.htm#08052171000007.