§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport if he will list the amount spent on(a) lawyers, (b) accountants, (c) consultants and (d) other professionals in consultation relating to privatisation of National Air Traffic Services in the last three months. [12]
§ Mr. BowisThe Department of Transport spent about £4,000, plus VAT, on legal fees in connection with this issue, with no expenditure under the other sub-headings. In addition, the Civil Aviation Authority spent approximately £125,000, plus VAT, on other consultants.
§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is his policy in respect of a two-centre air-traffic control strategy. [59]
§ Mr. BowisIn air traffic control matters, the Government are advised by the Civil Aviation Authority, which is the competent national body. The strategy of concentrating en route air traffic control services on two main centres was drawn up by National Air Traffic Services, now a wholly owned subsidiary of the CAA, early in the 1990s and the Government have supported the policy since then. The CAA is now reviewing the assumptions underlying the two-centre strategy in the light of technological and other developments and we await its recommendations.