MINISTERS WAKE UP TO TOXIC FUMES - TYLER

Success after 8-year campaign

Responding to news that the Government is to fund research work on toxic fumes leaking into aircraft cabins, Liberal Democrat Peer, Lord Tyler said:

"Only a few days ago in the Lords, the Minister was loathe to concede to me that there was a serious problem on British aircraft.

"For too long, the Government has allowed airlines to hide behind commercial confidentiality in what is fundamentally a matter of public safety.  Ministers were lucky that there was no disaster, caused by a pilots' blackout, to shake them out of their lethargy.

"At last, it seems they may have woken up. 

"Now they must also recognise that there are many seriously ill former pilots whose medical conditions prevent them from ever flying again."

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1.  Lord Tyler, formerly MP for North Cornwall, has campaigned on the effects of organophosphate poisoning in aircraft for the last eight years.  He chaired the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Organophosphates until 2005, when he retired from the Commons, and has continued to campaign in the House of Lords since he was appointed a life Peer in 2005.

2.  Lord Tyler had exchanges on cabin air contamination in the House of Lords on 21st May 2008.  These can be found at:  http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/ld200708/ldhansrd/text/80521-0001.htm#08052171000007