§ 44. Mr. de Freitasasked the Secretary of State for Air what steps he is taking 515 to co-operate with the other military and civil aviation authorities in Europe in establishing an automatic electronic system of air traffic control to reduce the risk of collision of military and civil aircraft especially at high altitude.
Mr. WardI would refer the hon. Member to the replies given by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation on 30th November and 7th December. My Department is fully associated with the studies to which he referred.
§ Mr. de FreitasIt is because those two replies were so unsatisfactory that I pursued this question. If the Minister of Defence does not know with what countries outside N.A.T.O. the discussions are concerned, surely the Secretary of State for Air can tell me what countries with military aircraft in Western Europe outside N.A.T.O. he is attempting to associate with the discussions?
Mr. WardThis is really a matter in which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Aviation is taking the lead, and my Department is merely associated with the studies. I should much prefer it if the hon. Gentleman would address that question to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. de FreitasWould the Secretary of State have a look, with the Minister of Aviation, at the replies he has given me, to see whether the points are really covered and whether this organisation is to be both civil and military?