§ Mr. Sproatasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will place in the Library a copy of the report of the joint air miss section of the National Air Traffic Services into the near miss between an Air United Kingdom F27 and a German Canberra aircraft on 16 July near Aberdeen airport.
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§ Mr. TebbitNo. Reports of investigations undertaken by the joint air-miss section of the National Air Traffic Services contain references to information obtained from pilots, air traffic control officers and others closely concerned. In order that the greatest possible safety benefit can flow from such investigations it is essential that those involved provide full and frank descriptions of the circumstances which led to the air-miss.
To achieve this objective, statements are given in confidence and contributors are aware that this degree of protection is provided. It is considered by NATS that the release of these reports would prejudice the working of the system and could lead to a future lack of co-operation from pilots, air traffic control officers and others without which the development of air safety measures would be hampered.
The conclusions of JAS investigations are already made known to members of the aviation community.