§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what assessment he has made of the effect on operational 587W effectiveness of moving from a system of military air traffic control to utilising the system of civilian air traffic control. [18260]
§ Mr. SoamesThe RAF has carried out a thorough assessment, involving practical simulations and managerial studies, of delivering a military air traffic control service using the equipment and associated software designed to be provided for the new en route centre at Swanwick. The assessment determined that the same degree of service in terms of quality and safety could be provided to military aircraft without any loss of operational freedom.