European Air Traffic Control (Hansard, 9 May 1990)

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, the Government cannot make a firm prediction at this stage, though of course we cannot rule out the possibility of delays this summer. Industrial disputes have already caused delays this year and there could be further disputes. However, the United Kingdom and other European countries are making strenuous efforts to reduce air traffic congestion by improving co-operation between air traffic centres.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his Answer. While it seems that most trouble will be caused by industrial disputes abroad, is it not bad news for British holidaymakers that they are likely to have to spend many hours delayed in great discomfort at airports? Are there channels of communication with neighbouring countries by which routes can immediately be rearranged or similar alternative measures taken?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, I can tell my noble friend that conference communication facilities came into operation last year between the air traffic flow management units of France, Germany, Italy, Spain and the United Kingdom. These facilities played a valuable role in rerouting traffic during the strike by French air traffic services staff last summer and no doubt will do so again if necessary.

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, I realise that the Minister will not agree that unified air traffic control is the best way of dealing with this matter. However, does he accept that the reason it has not been dealt with in the past is the inefficiency of a system which deals with and relies on far too many centres? Does he recall that I asked him last week 1362 whether it is true that 42 centres will still be necessary in 1998? Did the Minister not hear what I said? I am sorry if I was not clear. Does he recall that last week I asked him whether it is true that in 1998, under the harmonisation the Government prefer, some 42 different centres will be required instead of the six or eight that are really necessary?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, I always hear what the noble Baroness says. If she thinks that I do not hear it, she repeats it. I am unable to predict exactly how many centres will be needed in 1996 or 1998. Did the noble Lord, Lord Bruce, say something? If so, I did not quite catch it.
In March 1989 ICAO experts agreed on a new traffic orientation system which will spread traffic on the busiest European routes more evenly over the European ATC network. European states are co-operating to make certain weekend routes available, in agreement with military authorities, at peak traffic periods on weekdays. That is what is happening for this year.

§ Lord Murray of Epping Forest
My Lords, will the Minister inform the House what action is being taken to increase the number of UK air traffic controllers thereby increasing the safety of air travel and reducing the danger of congestion and the possibility of industrial disputes?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, there has been no suggestion so far that industrial action is expected in the UK. Last year UK controllers did a marvellous job in minimising the delays caused by industrial action elsewhere in Europe. We expect them to do the same this year should the need arise. The CAA plans to recruit more air traffic controllers over the next few years to meet a downturn in the number of controllers who took up their posts just after the war.

§ Lord Boyd-Carpenter
My Lords, is my noble friend aware how much his tribute to British air traffic controllers will be appreciated by all those who have worked with them?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend. The controllers deserve such tribute.

§ Lord Carmichael of Kelvingrove
My Lords, political unification of the centres and technical advances are very important. However, should not the immediate step—even, perhaps, the long-term step—be improved conditions under which air traffic controllers work? Anyone who has visited a control tower will realise that the pressures are incredible. Is not the best and quickest solution to have more fully trained controllers?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, the Government entirely agree. In the United Kingdom, NATS plans an accelerating investment programme and increased recruitment of controllers—from 80 a year in 1988 to a target of 200 this year, rising to 240 from 1999 onwards. I agree that controllers work under very difficult conditions. We are planning investment to ensure that such improvements are achieved.

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, I did not hear the Minister say anything on the matter of the 42 centres. Is it not correct that he and I were both hopeful that I might receive a reply today to a Question I asked a week ago? Is that reply still delayed?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, I thought that I had replied to the noble Baroness. However, I think that we must just continue to travel hopefully.

Lord Campbell of Croy
My Lords, will the system adopted on 24th April by European transport ministers enable controllers in one country to direct aircraft flying over it and landing in another?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, there has been a certain amount of press speculation on the matter. However, so far as I can see, the system will not be available in the foreseeable future.

§ Lord Williams of Elvel
My Lords, can the noble Viscount be more specific about the Government's view regarding what will happen at our airports during the high peak holiday season? Does he recall that in the past few years there have been serious logjams at all airports around London—and, indeed, in the North—and that people have been kept waiting in departure lounges for many hours? The Government must have a view on what will happen in response to his noble friend's Question. What is that view?

§ Viscount Davidson
My Lords, I thought that I had given the Government's view. However, I shall go a little further. I can say that the Government's view is that the overall prospect for the summer of 1990 is that, given the expected growth in traffic and the lack of a significant increase in capacity, there will be air traffic delays this summer. Those delays could be seriously aggravated by industrial action elsewhere in Europe. We are doing our best to ensure that such aggravation is minimised.