HC Deb 12 February 1990 vol 167 cc100-1W
22. Mr. Watts

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what measures he is taking to ensure better co-ordination of European air traffic control systems.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Government have launched various initiatives through Eurocontrol and the European civil aviation conference to promote integration of European air traffic control systems. I am glad that good progress is being made.

37. Mr. Mans

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what information he has on proposals by the Civil Aviation Authority to increase the number of air traffic controller cadets in 1991.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Civil Aviation Authority is embarking on an enhanced programme for training air traffic controller cadets and is aiming to increase its recruitment from 80 in 1988 to 240 by 1991.

50. Mr. Key

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport by how much the Civil Aviation Authority's new en route air traffic control centre will increase air space capacity.

Mr. McLoughlin

The new en route centre is expected to increase airspace capacity, in the en route sectors over England and Wales by at least 40 per cent. when operational in 1996.

65. Mr. Wood

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport how much will be invested by the Civil Aviation Authority to improve air traffic control over the next three years.

Mr. McLoughlin

The Civil Aviation Authority plans to spend £260 million over the next three years on civil air traffic control-related projects.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what length of training is now required before full qualification as an air traffic controller and what was the period of training undertaken before qualification in 1980.

Mr. McLoughlin

A simple comparison between the length of training now and the length of training in 1980 is not possible. I am therefore asking the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to reply to the hon. Member with detailed information.

Mr. Wallace

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what proportion of persons out of the last intake commencing training as air traffic controllers, whose training has now been completed successfully completed their training course and qualified as air traffic controllers.

Mr. McLoughlin

The last intake which completed its training to qualify as air traffic controllers had 13 successful members out of 18 who commenced; of the five who were unsuccessful, three had their training terminated due to failure and two resigned.