§ Rev. Ian Paisleyasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the closure of the Civil Aviation Authorities Radar Complex at Bishops Court and the long range Navigation Aid Radio station at Bushmills.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisAs part of the Civil Aviation Authority's programme for the modernisation of the air traffic control system, data derived from radar equipment at Bishops Court will from late 1977 be fed directly to the control centres at Prestwick and West Drayton. I am advised by the CAA that this will involve the redeployment of 22 professional staff and the redundancy of one clerical assistant.
The authority's long-range navigational aid radio station at Bushmills was designed primarily for aviation use, but this requirement lapsed at the end of 1974, since when only two staff have been needed for its upkeep. Its marine use does not justify its retention and transmissions from the station will cease on 30th September 1976.