§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what assessment he has made of the appropriate level of insurance cover for NATS; [71117]
(2) what level of insurance he is requiring from NATS; [71118]
(3) what discussions he has held with NATS over their insurance cover. [71116]
§ Mr. JamiesonWith effect from 1 July NATS has obtained aviation third party liability insurance to a level comparable with that secured by other major aviation interests post the events of 11 September.
572WNATS is continuing to investigate alternative markets that it has been advised may facilitate further cover. NATS and its lenders will take a view of this matter once quotes have been obtained for this additional layer of insurance.
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) how many air traffic controllers were(a) employed and (b) in training in each year since 1990; [71121]
(2) what steps (a) have been taken and (b) are planned to increase the number of trained national air traffic controllers; and if he will make a statement; [71160]
(3) how many air traffic controllers were (a) employed and (b) in training in each year since 1990; and if he will make a statement; [71162]
(4) what steps he has taken to increase the number of air traffic controllers; [71119]
(5) what the target staff complement is of National Air Traffic Services; how many vacancies and at what levels are unfilled; how many individuals have (a) left, (b) retired from and (c) joined NATS in each of the last three years; and if he will make a statement. [71163]
§ Mr. JamiesonThese are operational matters for National Air Traffic Services (NATS).
§ Tom BrakeTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what discussions he has had with NATS, the unions, the CAA and other air traffic control providers about increasing the number of air traffic controllers; and what representations he has had from these bodies on this subject; [71120]
(2) what recent (a) representations he and his Department has received and (b) discussions he and his Department has had with (i) NATS and (ii) the CAA regarding the number of trained national air traffic controllers; and if he will make a statement. [71161]
§ Mr. JamiesonEnsuring that there is an adequate number of air traffic controllers, is an operational matter for NATS.
However, the Department, in its capacity as a responsible shareholder, has regular meetings with NATS. It is understood that unions and management are working together to find an effective and acceptable solution, that accords with the requirements of the air traffic control approval granted by the CAA.