HC Deb 16 October 1996 vol 282 c966W
Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport what estimate he has made of the likely number of jobs to be created as a result of the establishment of a second air traffic control centre in Scotland. [40695]

Mr. Bowis

The proposed construction of the new Scottish centre and the replacement of the Oceanic flight data processing system, as envisaged in the invitation to tender of autumn 1995, would result in staff levels at Prestwick being maintained at approximately their current levels.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport when he expects to make an announcement of the future privatisation of the National Air Traffic Service and on the future of the second air traffic control centre in Scotland. [40694]

Mr. Bowis

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend's reply of 29 November 1995,Official Report, columns 783–84, to the hon. Member for Wyre (Mr. Mans). The timetable for privatisation has not yet been decided.

The future of the proposed air traffic control centre in Scotland is the subject of a review by the Civil Aviation Authority and I expect recommendations emerging from the review to be presented to Ministers later this year.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the occasions over the last 12 months when the air traffic control centre covering the United Kingdom has failed, the length of time the system failed and the estimated number of flights affected. [40689]

Mr. Bowis

The air traffic control centres at West Drayton and Prestwick cover the UK flight information regions. Over the last 12 months there have been a total of five failures resulting in delays to aircraft as follows:

Prestwick (Oceanic Data Processing System)

  • 23 August 1996—at 1005 with delays to aircraft peaking at over 2 hours.
  • 12 September 1996— at 1110 with 40 aircraft delayed in excess of 1 hour.

West Drayton (Host Computer System)

  • 6 October 1995—at 0810—flow restrictions introduced.
  • 5 November 1995—at 1221 resulting in 50 minute outbound delays from Heathrow.
  • 25 January 1996—at 1520—flow restrictions imposed.