HC Deb 02 December 1969 vol 792 c281W
Mr. Huckfield

asked the President of the Board of Trade what proposals he has, following recent air-miss incidents, for dealing with congestion at major United Kingdom airports, other than by the stacking principle.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

It is normal practice at major airports to avoid the necessity of stacking by using radar to direct incoming aircraft on to the runway approach axis for as long as the traffic flow permits this to be done without prejudice to safety. Developments include the provision of better radar information to Controllers and the application of speed control to aircraft to maintain separation. In hand is a study of the possible application of computers to improve aircraft sequencing on approach.

Stacks will continue to be needed during intervals when the rate of traffic exceeds the capacity of the airport, as in marginal weather or when a runway has had to be withdrawn from service.