§ Mr. Dykesasked the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has to the circumstances in which two airliners were involved in a near miss over Stanmore, Middlesex, on 29 July and as to what action has been taken as a result; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerOn 29 July two British Airways aircraft approaching Heathrow were involved in an airmiss whilst under radar control over north London. These were the subject of a routine airmiss report to the Civil Aviation Authority, which investigated the incident.
160WIt has also been investigated by my Department's accidents investigation branch, whose report was published routinely last Friday after the normal detailed investigative and consultative procedures had been completed.
It is the Civil Aviation Authority which is responsible for air safety and, through the National Air Traffic Services, for civil air traffic control. I have spoken to the chairman of the CAA and I know he is concerned to ensure that incidents such as this do not recur. He will be considering urgently whether there is any further remedial action which needs to be taken.