HC Deb 25 June 1981 vol 7 c135W
Mr. Douglas-Mann

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many reports of narrowly-avoided collisions of aircraft over the Greater London area have been received by him in the last six months; and what steps he is taking to reduce the risk of collisions in future.

Mr. Eyre

Airmiss reports are made to the National Air Traffic Services, not to my Department. They inform me that, in the period 1 December 1980 to 31 May 1981, seven such incidents were reported in the London terminal control area which is much larger than the Greater London area. Four of these were judged to involve no possible risk of collision, one was assessed as having a slight risk and the remaining two are still under investigation. All airmiss reports are investigated by the joint airmiss working group of the National Air Traffic Services. Their conclusions and recommendations are widely disseminated within the aviation community in the interests of overall accident prevention.

Mr. Douglas-Mann

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what reports he has received of a near collision between two aircraft over Norbury at about 9 am. on 16 June; what investigation has been carried out into such reports; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Eyre

Airmiss reports are made to the National Air Traffic Services who inform me that there has been no report of any such incident occurring over Norbury on 16 June.