§ 52. Mr. ColvinTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will make a statement on the conclusions reached at the conference which he convened on civil aviation at Lancaster house on Monday 7 November.
§ Mr. Peter BottomleyThe purpose of the conference (which was held in private) was to analyse the air traffic control congestion problems of the summer, and to discuss ways of improving matters for 1989 and beyond. The Civil Aviation Authority explained its strategy for the provision of air traffic control services in the short, medium and long term, and the conference heard of the initiatives which the United Kingdom and others have been taking to improve co-ordination between air traffic services in Europe. Ways of alleviating the effects of delays on passengers were outlined by representatives of the airlines, airports and tour operators. The conference produced a number of new ideas which are being followed up.