HL Deb 15 December 1977 vol 387 cc2228-30

11.9 a.m.

Lord BRAYE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made with the installation of surface movement control indicators (ground radar) at Gatwick and other airports.

Lord ORAM

My Lords, as stated in my reply to the noble Lord's previous Question on 4th May, the time-scale for provision of this equipment at Gatwick is dependent upon other developments there. In particular, it is likely that there will be a new elevated control room in the terminal area complex upon which the equipment would be mounted. It is expected that such a facility would be completed by 1981–82, and this date would accord with the foreseeable operational requirement. As for other airports, the position remains as stated in my previous reply; that is to say, expenditure on ground radar could be justified only where traffic levels and the complexities of the taxiway system are such that real dividends would accrue in terms of safety and expedition. The Civil Aviation Authority are keeping the situation under review, and I feel that we can rely upon them to initiate early action if and when the need arises.

Lord BRAYE

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. Does it not seem to him that it is a very long time to wait, and that we might easily have a very bad accident before then at Gatwick?

Lord ORAM

My Lords, I do not in any way wish to appear complacent about this, but I am assured that the existing facilities at Gatwick are suitable in terms of the present usage of the airport, and that the CAA have studied the foreseeable usage of the airport in reaching a conclusion about this matter. I think they can be fully relied upon to reach the right kind of estimate.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, can the Minister say what would be the cost of the installation of this equipment at Gatwick today?

Lord ORAM

Yes, my Lords. The estimate that I had at the time when the noble Lord asked his earlier Question—and I have no indication that there has been any great change—was £400,000.

Lord TREFGARNE

My Lords, can the noble Lord clarify whether or not the decision has actually been taken to install this equipment on the control room, to be available in 1981–82?

Lord ORAM

My Lords, after their study the Civil Aviation Authority concluded that the installation would probably be necessary. I do not think that they have taken any firmer step than that, but in the meantime they are instituting a detailed study.

Lord TREFGARNE

Then, my Lords, can the noble Lord say when the decision will be reached, bearing in mind that, according to the noble Lord's earlier. Answer, two years or more will be required to install the equipment?

Lord ORAM

No, my Lords. I have no information as to when the study that I indicated will be concluded. But I will see whether I can find that information.

Lord INGLEWOOD

My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he does not think it would be better to accelerate the installation of this equipment, even if it means delaying some of the loans to Mozambique?

Lord ORAM

My Lords, I think that we can rely upon the Civil Aviation Authority to have their priorities right in this matter. I would re-emphasise the point that I made in the earlier exchange, that this is monitoring equipment. It is not in itself a control facility. It is an important auxiliary piece of equipment, rather than a centrally required facility.