§ Sir David MadelTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what is the purpose of his Department's press briefing to be held at the new en route centre at Swanwick on 6 March; how many previous press briefings at Swanwick have taken place in the last 24 months; by whom they were organised; who attended; and if he will make a statement. [18290]
§ Mr. Bowis[holding answer 3 March 1997]: The press briefing at Swanwick on 6 March is not being held or organised by the Department of Transport. It has been arranged by the Civil Aviation Authority's corporate communications department—CCD.
The purpose is to demonstrate the systems integration achieved to date, prior to the commencement of air traffic controller training at the centre in the near future.
I understand that this is the first major press briefing to be held at the Swanwick centre in the past 24 months although numerous individual journalists have made visits during that period. All these visits have been co-ordinated by the CAA's corporate communications department.