§ Ms OsborneTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on(a) the current delay in the development of the new air traffic control centre at Swanwick and (b) the implications for the proposed contract for the new Scottish centre at Prestwick. [24143]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe Chief Executive of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) announced in July 1997 that there would be a delay to the operational date of the Swanwick centre. Following a review of the project plan, and consultation with NATS staff, users and the Government, the Board of the Civil Aviation Authority agreed a revised operational date of 1999–2000. NATS remain confident that this revised date is achievable, and have developed a robust and flexible implementation plan to bring the project to completion.
To date, the delay to the operational date of the Swanwick centre has had no impact on the proposed contract for the New Scottish Centre at Prestwick.