§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what assessment he has made of the level of risk associated with the remedial measures proposed by the contractors on the new en-route centre; what contingency plans his Department has made in the event of the project failing; and what compensation will be payable to the Civil Aviation Authority by the NERC contractors as a result of the delays to the project. [32782]
§ Mr. NorrisLockheed Martin has implemented a revised project plan that has reduced substantially the level of financial risk associated with the proposed remedial measures. National Air Traffic Services is monitoring the situation closely and is examining a range of options, in the event of further delay, to ensure services to customers are unaffected. In the remote eventuality that the project company fails to deliver the system, 125 per cent. of the total contract value could be claimed from the supplier.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what will be the costs of upgrading and keeping in service the London air traffic control centre, including its military cell, until the new en-route centre becomes operational; and to what extent these costs will be borne by the NERC contractors. [32783]
§ Mr. NorrisThe additional cost to NATS of operating upgraded facilities at West Drayton during the run up to the introduction of the new en-route centre into operational service will be in the order of £15 million. The additional costs required to complete the new en-route centre will be borne entirely by the project contractor.