HC Deb 05 June 1972 vol 838 cc27-8
32. Mr. Hugh Jenkins

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, in view of the near-miss between two British Overseas Airways Corporation aircraft landing at Heathrow, what action he is taking to ensure that the lives of passengers and of those living in the vicinity of London Airport and in South-East England do not continue to be hazarded; how many near misses have taken place during the last year; and what has been the increase in the number of landings in that period.

Mr. Onslow

It will be for the Civil Aviation Authority to take such action as it considers necessary when it has completed its investigation into this incident. I understand the Authority will be publishing in the Annual Survey of Accidents the numbers of air misses reported in the whole United Kingdom airspace during 1971 which gave rise to specific risk; during 1971 the number of landings was approximately the same as the previous year.

Mr. Jenkins

If the situation is now becoming serious and if the flight data processing system which was supposed to deal with this problem has failed to come into effect, and has to be looked at again, would not it be a wise pre- caution to reduce the number of landings at Heathrow until a new system has been brought into effect?

Mr. Onslow

If anything, the number of near misses is declining slightly. As for the FDPS decision, this is likely to be announced soon. When it is announced, I hope that the Hon. Gentleman will recognise that considerations of safety have been taken into full account.

Mr. Tebbit

In the discussions that have gone on which are quite important to the British computer industry, has consideration been given to the Goodyear Staram system which looks as though it could be the sort of system which would avoid going overall American and yet still provide sufficient capacity to avoid this risk of collision?

Mr. Onslow

Consideration of the technical issues involved is in the first instance a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority. I am advised that the Goodyear system by itself could not perform any meaningful ATC functions.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

Is the Minister aware that every time an hon. Member asks a Question about Mediator, he is told that it is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority? Cannot we have more information about this, especially since the number of near misses is not going down?

Mr. Onslow

I am sure that the hon Gentleman and I will not agree, but I think that he ought to look again at my reply to the hon. Member for Putney (Mr. Hugh Jenkins).