§ Mrs. DunwoodyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (1) what was the original budget allocated for the building and equipping of the new air traffic control centre at Swanwick; and what is the current level of expenditure; [25953]
(2) if he will list (a) the original target date for the Swanwick air traffic control centre to become operational and (b) the current target date; and what factors underlie the difference; [25954]
231W(3) if he will place in the Library a copy of the action plan drawn up by the Civil Aviation Authority and National Air Traffic Services for dealing with millennium compliance issues. [25976]
§ Ms Glenda JacksonThe original estimate by National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) for the capital expenditure at the Swanwick Centre, made in July 1989, was £215.5 million at 1988–99 prices, which equates to £313 million at 1997–98 prices. A reappraisal of the project was approved by the Government in December 1991, with a new budget of £310.2 million at 1990 prices. Using actual inflation indices, this gives an actual costs budget of £350.7 million—NATS still expects to be within this budget.
The original operational date for the Swanwick Centre, given in July 1989, was November 1996. The current target date is the winter of 1999–2000. The major causes of the delay were (a) problems with the integration of 23 software sub-systems, and (b) the need for additional functions in the system, which was identified following testing of the system by air traffic controllers.
I have arranged for copies of the CAA and NATS documents showing the steps that they have taken to address the millennium problem, and any further action they intend to take, to be placed in the Library.