Mediator

HC Deb 08 March 1971 vol 813 cc9-11

8. Mr. Molloy

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will make a statement regarding the efficiency of the Mediator traffic control system at Heathrow Airport.

3. Mr. Barnes

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he is satisfied with the operation of the air traffic control system Mediator at Heathrow; and if he will make a statement.

36. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will conduct a review of the air traffic control and navigation system of Heathrow Airport.

Mr. Anthony Grant

The Mediator system is concerned with the control of aircraft en route and the first part, introduced on 1st February, which involves the provision of services by the London Air Traffic Control Centre at West Drayton to aircraft in South England, is working effectively and will be progressively improved and developed. Its introduction has had comparatively minor consequential effects on the approach and aerodrome control services provided at Heathrow Airport and the position there is satisfactory.

The operation of the air traffic control system at Heathrow is continuously under review and I see no necessity for any additional review at this time.

Mr. Molloy

But is the hon. Gentleman aware that, notwithstanding that they are highly efficient and dedicated, the air control staff at Heathrow are gravely apprehensive about this system, and that there have been dangerous near-misses in the recent past, one of which would have had a disastrous effect on the Greenford area of my constituency? Should he not have a thorough investigation and take full cognisance of the apprehensions of the air control staff àpropos this whole issue?

Mr. Grant

I entirely agree about the dedication and quality of the staff and I should like to set their minds at rest about the equipment which they are operating. We shall give this the highest possible priority, of course. I should make it clear that the system which was introduced is designed in the interests of safety and will in our view improve the safety of aircraft en route because of the better radar system which is applied and the better method of examination of the operatives.

Mr. Rankin

On a point of order. I have two Questions on this topic. Could the Minister say why he did not take my Questions, with these?

Mr. Grant rose

—

Mr. Speaker

Order. I would again remind hon. Members that points of order are deprecated during Question Time.

Mr. Huckfield

Is the Minister aware that, despite what he said, the air traffic control staff and the pilots do not like it, that it is ten years out of date, that half of the computer system is not there, and that foreign air traffic controllers have already started to retaliate? Will he not now admit that the whole of the Linesman-Mediator system is fast becoming a monumental testament to the "cock-up" theory of government?

Mr. Grant

I do not share those views nor do I agree with the extravagant language in which they were expressed. It is grossly exaggerating to make a remark like that. I repeat that this system will improve the safety of aircraft and of people concerned therewith. I would also point out that this piece of equipment will be available very soon and that the existing one, the intermediate one, improves the system so far as it can at the moment.

Mr. Emery

Would my hon. Friend deal with the question of near misses, which is of considerable importance to the minds of the travelling public? As I understand it, allegations about the number of near misses since the introduction of this equipment are not at all similar to the facts.

Mr. Grant

It would be wrong of me or anyone to suggest that the near misses, if they have taken place, are due to this system. I do not accept that for one moment. Of course, the Government will consider this very carefully.

Mr. Mason

But the Minister knows, as his right hon. Friend has told me in a written reply, that there have been three near misses since Mediator was established and in the area which it covers. What has been responsible? Has Mediator, because of its introduction in this area, been responsible for these three near misses? Secondly, what has the Minister said to those who have expressed fears—namely, B.A.L.P.A., the National Guild of Air Traffic Controllers and the Institution of Professional Civil Servants—to allay their fears?

Mr. Grant

I do not accept at this stage that the Mediator system was responsible for the near misses which have taken place. If the hon. Gentleman would like to put down a Question on the subject, my right hon. Friend the Minister for Trade will no doubt give him an answer. But I repeat that the Mediator system which has been introduced is designed to create a safer system and is an improvement on the situation which prevailed before.

Mr. Mason

What has the Minister said to those three bodies primarily involved and affected to allay their fears about the future of this system?

Mr. Grant

I have had no consultation myself with them at all—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—that is, me personally. I have had no consultations. But what I am saying is that if the right hon. Gentleman cares to put down a Question, I will see that it is answered.