HC Deb 01 March 1971 vol 812 cc316-26W
Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now make a statement on the first month's operation of the Mediator part of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

The organisation has demonstrated that it is soundly based. Initial teething troubles with new sub-systems have caused some delays to aircraft but the situation is improving.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what difficulties have been encountered by pilots and air traffic controllers through using numbers for aircraft registration instead of letters on the computer system of Linesman/Mediator.

Mr. Noble

No serious difficulties have been experienced by air traffic controllers. Pilots are unaffected.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what further consideration has been given to the need for an ocean platform for secondary surveillance radar coverage of the South-Western approaches in connection with Linesman Mediator.

Mr. Noble

None. The cover to be provided by the planned secondary surveillance radar installation in the Isles of Scilly is considered to be adequate to meet the Mediator requirement in the south western approaches.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what further progress has been made in research into collision-avoidance systems in conjunction with Linesman/Mediator;

(2) what further research is planned into collision avoidance systems to complement the operation of Linesman/Mediator.

Mr. Noble

Research into collision avoidance systems is independent of the Mediator programme and is a matter for my hon. Friend the Minister for Aviation Supply.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration has been given to the introduction of navigational user charges in connection with the operation of Linesman/Mediator.

Mr. Noble

Navigational user charges will take into account the costs of all relevant navigational services, including those provided and operated under the Mediator air traffic control programme.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies in the prediction of future air traffic controller workbeds have been undertaken in connection with the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

Forecast figures of air traffic are used as part of the basic assessment of future work loads. The workloads expected from particular tasks are studied during simulations of procedures and systems at the Air Traffic Control Evaluation Unit, Hurn.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent a reduced dependence on primary radar is planned to coincide with the introduction of future stages of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

Primary radar will continue to be a valuable source of information on aircraft positions for the foreseeable future. As more aircraft become equipped with the latest transponders and as interrogation methods are developed further, primary radar will be supplemented by secondary radar to an extent where the latter may eventually become the main source of information in certain parts of the airspace.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent it is planned that future satellite communication will augment the capabilities of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

Future satellite communication systems are being planned to be totally compatible with existing and planned air traffic control services. Initial applications are unlikely to be needed for Mediator.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now take steps to give financial inducements to airlines for the use of area navigation systems, in order to complement the potential of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

No.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many very high frequency omni-directional radio range navigation installations are at present in commission in Great Britain; how many have associated distance measuring equipment; and what effect will the introduction of Linesman/Mediator have on these numbers.

Mr. Noble

There are 36 very high frequency omni-directional radio ranges (VOR) in operation in Great Britain (plus one each in Northern Ireland, Alderney and the Isle of Man). Of these, 22 have associated distance measuring equipment (DME). Eight additional VORs and 12 DMEs are under consideration or in process of installation. The requirements future operations of the Mediator system are taken into account when VOR/DMEs are planned.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what consultations he has held with the smaller airport authorities in conjunction with the introduction of the Linesman/ Mediator project;

(2) what consultations have been held with light aircraft interests in conjunction with the introduction of Linesman/ Mediator.

Mr. Noble

The aircraft user and aerodrome authorities have not been consulted independently about Mediator but in June, 1969, a presentation on the system was made to the Civil Aviation Control Advisory Committee, which includes representatives of light aircraft and aerodrome owners organisations. This was followed by discussion. They were also of course informed in advance of the introduction of Stage 1 on 1st February.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what studies have now been made of the recommendations of the Roskill Commission in connection with the installation of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

As indicated in the Report of the Roskill Commission, the site it finally recommended has already been studied by the National Air Traffic Control Service, as have the three other sites on the Commission's final list.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what discussions have taken place with the Eurocontrol centre about the introduction of Linesman/Mediator; and what has been their outcome.

Mr. Noble

The upper air space aspects of the Mediator air traffic control system have been discussed with Eurocontrol during the formative stages. Plans for particular parts of the upper air space are discussed in detail as they arise.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what research has been undertaken into constant-addressable computer memories in connection with the introduction and future operations of Linesman/Mediator.

Mr. Noble

None so far as the Department is concerned.

Mr Leslie Huckfield

asked the secretary of state for Trade and Industry what further local area control schemes he will seek to establish in connection with the operation of Linesman/ Mediator.

Mr. Noble

No additional local area control schemes are planned in connection with the Mediator air traffic control system as such. The need for controlled or special rules airspace is a matter for continuous review and schemes for these are introduced as they are found to be necessary.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what emergency power supply arrangements exist for the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

The West Drayton complex has its own power station. It also takes power from the national system and could run on this supply alone if necessary.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the function of the Euclid system in the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

The Euclid system is part of the equipment at the Air Traffic Control Evaluation Unit, Hurn, where arrangements and procedures, including those for Mediator, are tested before being adopted operationally.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the function of the Apollo Group in the installation of the Linesman/ Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

None.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry by what date is stage 2 of the Linesman/Mediator project scheduled for completed installation and operation.

Mr. Noble

Mediator is an evolutionary project, consisting of a number of steps. Evaluation of each step is an essential part of the process and the timing of Mediator 2 will depend on the experience gained in the evaluation and operation of earlier stages.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what use is being made of the Ferranti Hermes computer in the simulation of aircraft responses as part of the training of controllers for the Linesman /Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

The Ferranti Hermes computer is used at the Air Traffic Control Evaluation Unit, Hurn, to provide synthetic aircraft responses on radar displays. Training for Mediator is among the tasks for which it has been employed.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the secretary of state for Trade and Industry what level of provision for collision risk and loss will be assumed in the operation of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

The Mediator air traffic control pogramm will continue to operate to separation standards agreed internationally to maintain safety levels by reducing collision risk. Attention is paid to area where study of previous systems shows developments to be desirable with the object maintaining and is possible, improving on previous safely levels in the face of rising traffic pressures.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent will air-ground data links in the Linesman/Mediator project reduce voice communications.

Mr. Noble

The only form of data link at present internationally agreed for civil use is secondary surveillance radar. This system is being used extensively in Mediator for the automatic reporting of aircraft identity and flight levels. This should lead in time to a significant reduction in voice communication.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the secretary of State for Trade and Industry what revision of aircraft route structures and procedures have been undertaken in preparation for the Linesman/Mediator project; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Noble

Revisions to route structures and procedures are to those associated with the new holding points established at Biggin Hill and Ongar and with the general exploitation of improved facilities.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what separation intervals for supersonic aircraft will operated by the Linesman/Mediator system.

Mr. Noble

When supersonic aircraft are flying in airspace controlled under the mediator system they will mostly be flying subsonically and will be given the separation intervals internationally agreed for subsonic aircraft. These vary according to such features as navigational facilities and radar cover.

No separation values for supersonic flight have yet been agreed internationally. A meeting of the International Civil Organisation is expected to consider these before the aircraft comes into service.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what provision will be made for the more accurate checking of airborne pressure altimeters with the introduction of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

The introduction of the Linesman/Meditor project has not led to any proposals for changes in the existing requirements for the checking of the accuracy of pressure altimeters.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how the response rate of the Linesman/Mediator project will compare when completed with that of any comparable systems already installed and operated abroad.

Mr. Noble

If by "response rate" the hon. Member means the ability of the air traffic control system to respond to the traffic demand made upon it, then the Mediator system will compare more than favourably with systems already installed and operating abroad.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the original concept of the Linesman/Mediator project was based upon previous experience accumulated by foreign government projects, particularly in the United States of America; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Noble

During the formulation of the Mediator air traffic control concept there were, as is normal, two-way exchanges with other countries on related technical matters. Experience and practice in them, including the United States, was taken into account on a number of matters such as radar layout, the application of secondary surveillance radar and data exchange.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what instructions were given to his staff to prevent the hon. Member for Nuneaton joining in the Press visit to the Linesman/Mediator project on Thursday, 25th February;

(2) on what grounds representatives of the Press were permitted to visit the Linesman/Mediator project before hon. Members of the House of Commons;

(3) by what criteria were Press representatives selected for the visit to the Linesman/Mediator project on Thursday, 25th February; and what instructions were given about the sending out of invitations;

(4) when a visit to the Linesman/Mediator project will be arranged for hon. Members of the House of Commons.

Mr. Noble

It is the normal practice of the Department to offer facilities to accredited representatives of the Press to see developments in our air traffic control system whenever a suitable occasion arises. Invitations to visit the Mediator project were accordingly sent to national newspapers and to the local and technical Press concerned. The selection of their representatives is, of course, a matter for them. An opportunity for hon. Members to make a visit in the near future is being arranged.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why it took more than one week before an attempt was made to give a detailed explanation of why the hon. Member for Nuneaton will not be permitted to participate in the Press visit to the Linesman/Mediator project on Thursday, 25th February.

Mr. Noble

The hon. Member may recall that I replied personally to his orginal request and explained why he could not be added to this Press visit. I was not aware that he required a further explanation but, if I had known that he did, I should have been glad to give it.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry why a representative of the British Safety Council was not invited to the Linesman/Mediator project on 25th February, 1971.

Mr. Noble

This particular visit was specially arranged for the national newspapers and the local and technical Press concerned.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what was the estimated cost of the original Linesman/Mediator project; and what is the present estimated cost of completing it.

Mr. Noble

Linesman as an air defence project is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Defence, and I assume the hon. Member is referring to the Mediator Air Traffic Control programme, in which my right hon. Friend has an interest also. The original Mediator project forms part of an integrated defence/air traffic control system, and its costs are not readily available separately. The current estimate for the ultimate Mediator programme as presently conceived is of the order of £47.5 million.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the planned time failure rate of the computers in the Marconi contract as part of the Linesman/Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

The failure rate specified for the system of computers in the Marconi contract is for a failure exceeding 30 seconds duration not to occur more than once in five years.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements exist for co-ordination with the Ministry of Defence for the installation of the Linesman/Mediator project; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Noble

The Mediator management organisation provides for and maintains continuous contact between my Department and the Ministry of Defence over the installation of the Mediator air traffic control system.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what consideration has been given to the export possibilities and sales of the Linesman/Mediator project as a whole; what consultations have been held with other Governments; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Noble

Many of the component electronic systems which comprise Mediator air traffic control system have been designed both to satisfy our needs and to be saleable elsewhere. As far as can be determined now, the manufacturers concerned have already secured orders of approximately £2 million for equipment available or competitive because of the Mediator contracts. The National Air Traffic Control Service is in regular consultation with foreign A.T.C. authorities on air traffic control processes and equipments and receives frequent visits from them on these topics.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what representations he has had about the Linesman/Mediator project from the British Air Line Pilots Association; and what reply he has sent.

Mr. Noble

Over the last few months there has been correspondence with the British Air Line Pilots Association on a number of features in Mediator and also one meeting at which the Department gave a full presentation on the system. The Association's most recent letter dealt mainly with the notification of flight level clearances to aircraft and proposed a meeting. The Department's reply described the clearance procedure used, and suggested a general system demonstration.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many air traffic controllers have been trained to operate the Linesman/ Mediator project; and what has been their basic training course.

Mr. Noble

Three hundred and twenty-one air traffic controllers at the London Air Traffic Control Centre have attended familiarisation and training courses on Mediator techniques and procedures at the Air Traffic Control Evaluation Unit, Hurn. Additional training was given at the London A.T.C. Centre.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many staff will be required for the continuous operation of the Mediator part of the Linesman Mediator project.

Mr. Noble

The current complement for staff at West Drayton for the operation of this stage of Mediator is 847. It is too early to forecast the eventual requirement.