§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the current standards of surveillance radar approach at United Kingdom airports.
§ Mr. RidleyStandards of surveillance radar approaches at airports in the United Kingdom are laid down in the "Manual of Air Traffic Services", part 1, section 3, chapter 2, paragraph 13, issued by the National Air Traffic Services (NATS), which I will send to the hon. Member. NATS is also responsible for examining individual controllers to ensure that they are fully competent before validating their licences for use at a particular aerodrome. The proper standards are being maintained.
§ Mr. Robert Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Transport if he will meet the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss the safety of surveillance radar approach for talking down aircraft being interrupted.
§ Mr. RidleyNo. I do not wish to detract from the CAA's sole responsibility for aircraft safety. It has informed me it has no knowledge of any hazard to safety resulting from an interruption to a surveillance radar approach.