HC Deb 19 October 1999 vol 336 cc489-90W
Mr. Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the planned date on which Swanwick air traffic control will become operational. [94202]

Mr. Mullin

Swanwick is still expected to become operational in the spring of 2002.

Mr. Brake

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what assessment he has made of the impact on Swanwick Air Traffic Control Centre of the Government's proposals for the future of NATS. [94300]

Mr. Mullin

The Government recognises the importance of introducing the right strategic partner to the New Partnership Company under the PPP. In order to protect the public interest and national security, given the strategic importance to the UK of NATS activities, the Government will have to be satisfied of, among other things, the strategic partner's commitment to the development of the New En Route Centre at Swanwick and the NSC, thereby maintaining the two-centre strategy.

The arguments for the PPP include: to give NATS access to private capital; enable that capital to be used to best effect; and bring in the investment and project management skills which only the private sector can offer. Additionally, it will free NATS investment and management decisions from Government financing constraints, allow NATS the commercial opportunities it lacks in the public sector, and introduce quality key private sector management skills to build on NATS operational excellence.