§ Mr. MacdonaldTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the provisions for protection of aircraft flying on advisory routes from other air traffic; and what regulations exist to restrict other aircraft from crossing advisory routes without air traffic control clearance.
§ Mr. McLoughlinThe statutory responsibility for the safety regulation of United Kingdom civil aviation rests with the Civil Aviation Authority. The CAA discharges its responsibilities in respect of air traffic control through the national air traffic services (NATS), a joint CAA/Ministry of Defence organisation.
I have been informed that air traffic service advisory services have been established offering, in addition to flight information services, a continuous separation service to all participating aircraft. Participation is not compulsory and it has to be emphasised that the advice offered to participating aircraft relates only to known traffic. Pilots of aircraft wishing to cross an air traffic service advisory route should contact the appropriate air traffic services unit before doing so in accordance with the rules of the air. The United Kingdom aeronautical information publication contains details of the advisory airspace within the United Kingdom.