§ Dr. ReidTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received seeking an inquiry into the near misses of aircraft recently occurring over United Kingdom airspace.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyWe and the Civil Aviation Authority (which is responsible for air traffic control and air safety) have received a number of representations about recent airmisses. The chairman of the CAA asked the Department's chief inspector of accidents to investigate the airmiss over Kent on 6 February. The CAA is itself investigating that and other air misses under its usual procedures.
My right hon. Friend also asked the chairman to review urgently the procedures for investigating and reporting airmisses and the chairman reported to him on 3 March 1988. I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) the same day.
§ Mr. DunnachieTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received seeking an inquiry into the recent near misses of aircraft in United Kingdom airspace.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyMy right hon. Friend the Secretary of State received a number of representations following the recent reports of airmisses and asked the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to review urgently the arrangements for reporting and investigating them. I draw the hon. Member's attention to the reply given by my right hon. Friend on 3 March 1988 to the member for Brentwood and Ongar (Mr. McCrindle) setting out the chairman's response.