§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what assessment she has made of the economic impact of the postponement of the construction of the Prestwick air traffic control centre(a) locally and (b) on Scotland. [7422]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Scotland Office is closely monitoring the situation regarding the new centre. As the decision by NATS to review the phasing of the Scottish centre was taken only recently, detailed impacts, if any, of the decision are not yet known.
All parties involved in this project remain committed to investing in the new Scottish centre at Prestwick. This project will deliver significant benefits both for Ayrshire and Scotland as a whole through construction work and highly skilled operational staff.
§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what meetings she(a) has had and (b) has planned to discuss the postponement of the construction of the Prestwick air traffic control centre. [7419]
§ Mrs. LiddellThe Scotland Office is in regular contact with the relevant parties in relation to the Prestwick air traffic control centre. The events of 11 September have had an effect on air movements, which has given rise to a review of the phasing of NATS capital investment plan. As a result, the new centre will have a later operational date than originally planned. All parties involved remain committed to investment in the new Scottish centre at Prestwick and to complete this important project.
§ Mrs. LaitTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations she has received from National Air Traffic Control about the postponement of the construction of the Prestwick air traffic control centre. [7420]
§ Mrs. LiddellI receive representations on a wide variety of issues concerning reserved matters in Scotland. The Scotland Office, both at ministerial and official level, is in close contact with all the relevant parties concerning the future of the new Scottish centre at Prestwick.