HC Deb 07 November 1988 vol 140 cc69-70W
Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what steps he is taking to diminish air traffic control delays in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Bottomley

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State has asked the Civil Aviation Authority, which is jointly responsible with the Ministry of Defence through the National Air Traffic Services for the provision of en route air traffic control services in United Kingdom, for advice by the end of this month on strategies for making good use of airspace until the full benefits of the authority's reorganisation of the London terminal control area become available in 1995.

The United Kingdom has made a series of proposals for improving the planning, co-ordination and operation of air traffic control services in Europe. These have received wide support from the members of Eurocontrol and at a meeting last month of Transport Ministers from 22 European countries.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the projected manpower needs, and skills shortages, affecting air traffic controllers in the next five years.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

This is a matter for the Civil Aviation Authority and the management of the National Air Traffic Services.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what are the average lengths of delays to(a) short-haul and (b) long-haul services caused by air traffic control problems at British airports.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

The hon. Member could ask the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority. The authority has done some analysis of air traffic delays in recent years in collaboration with other European air traffic control authorities.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to ensure that problems caused by delays in air traffic control are solved before 1989's peak holiday season.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State is today chairing a conference of representatives of the Civil Aviation Authority and the aviation industry to analyse the congestion problems of the summer and to discuss all possible ways of improving matters in 1989 and in the years beyond.

Mr. Sheerman

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what have been the costs to British air carriers incurred by air traffic control delays in each of the last five years.

Mr. Peter Bottomley

This information is not readily available.