HC Deb 27 July 1988 vol 138 c252W
Mr. Soames

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has as to how many times in the last year the helilanes into London airspace have been closed without warning to those using them.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

[pursuant to his reply, 23 May 1988, c. 56]: I want and need to make a correction. Wrong information was given. I apologise.

Advance notice was not given in each of the closures mentioned in my earlier answer. The closures were the subject of telephoned advice at the time of closure.

Only 13 of them were preceded by warning through notices to airmen (NOTAM). The NOTAM action gave very little advance warning.