§ Mr. SalmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the regulations on the award of contracts for local air traffic control in the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement on the criteria upon which the contracts tendered this year for Glasgow airport and Edinburgh airport will be awarded. [29341]
§ Mr. NorrisProvision of air traffic control services in the UK must be in line with approvals granted by the Civil Aviation Authority under article 77 of the Air Navigation (No. 2) Order 1995. Before it grants such approvals, the authority must satisfy itself that the applicant is competent to provide a safe service, having regard to organisation, staffing, equipment, maintenance and other matters. Any air traffic controllers employed by the applicant must also obtain a licence from the authority under the terms of article 81 of the order.
The criteria for awarding the ATC supply contracts for Glasgow and Edinburgh airports are a matter for BAA plc, the owner of both airports.