HC Deb 18 June 1991 vol 193 cc87-8W
Mr. Beith

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport whether he was notified by Trinity House in advance that it was its intention to notify Alnwick district council that it proposed to erect a Loran C mast at Amble as a permitted development which did not currently enjoy permitted development status.

Mr. McLoughlin

[holding answer 17 June 1991]: My right hon. and learned Friend was aware that Trinity House intended to consult Alnwick district council, as the local planning authority, and others about the proposal to erect a Loran C transmitter mast near Amble as a permitted development in advance of its having powers to

Incident number Date Risk Aircraft Aircraft Latitude Longditude Altitude (ft)
81/230 25 November 1981 C Friendship F27 F4/Phantom 5342N 00006W 12,000
82/189 8 December 1982 C Model 727 One-Eleven (BAC) 5342N 00011 E 35,700
89/042 24 April 1989 A Jet Provost Jet Provost 5340N 00023W 06,000
90/131 31 July 1990 C Super King Air 200 Super Jet 747 5344N 00001W 27,000

The findings of the Joint Airmiss Working Group were as follows:

81/230 Unauthorised entry into Airway Bl by the Phantom.

82/189 Prescribed horizontal separation not maintained by air traffic control.

89/042 Very late sighting by the pilots of both Jet Provosts.

90/131 Prescribed separation not maintained by air traffic control.

Risk Category A (incident 89/042) denotes an actual risk of collision. Category C (incidents 81/230, 82/189 and 90/131) denotes no risk of collision.

Mr. Redmond

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, pursuant to his answer on 3 May,Official Report, columns 360–62, to the hon. Member for Don Valley, about air misses, what was (a) the height, (b) the risk category and (c) the findings of the joint air miss working group for the incidents on (i) 28 April 1988, (ii) 21 June 1988 and (iii) 16 February 1990; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. McLoughlin

The information requested by the hon. Gentleman is as follows:

Date of incident Height (ft) Risk category Findings of joint airmiss working group
28 April 1988 3,000 C No risk of collision.
Both pilots fulfilled their lookout responsibility.
21 June 1988 1,500 C Sighting report without risk.
16 February 1990 2,000 C The Buccaneer pilot flew close enough to the Sikorsky S76 to cause concern.
However, there was no risk of collision, and the Buccaneer pilot underook his responsibility to avoid collision.

carry the proposal forward in that manner. This was on the basis that Trinity House would acquire these powers on the Government's signature of an international agreement on a Loran C system in north-west Europe. My right hon. and learned Friend is considering urgently whether to proceed with such an agreement following the receipt of a revised offer from Racal Electronics plc for the automation and operation of the Decca Navigator chains in the United Kingdom into the next century.

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