HC Deb 16 May 2000 vol 350 cc83-5W
Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what communications he has received from(a) the European Commission and (b) other sources concerning the compatibility with the public ownership and funding of those agencies now operating in the United Kingdom of European Commission proposals to create a single European Airspace and European Air Safety Agency. [121638]

Mr. Mullin

DETR received in January 2000 a copy of the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament entitled "The creation of a single European sky"—EM No. 13735/99 COM(99) 614 final.

This Communication examined in detail the European air traffic management system. It provides the Commission's views on where it believes there are shortcomings, and makes proposals for areas which need further study in order to achieve the Commission's objective of "European airspace as a seamless continuum". In general, the Commission's ideas, such as the need to separate service provision from regulation, seem compatible with UK air traffic control policy. This is also the broad consensus view of the respondents to DETR's recent consultation exercise on this Communication.

In June 1998, the Council mandated the Commission to develop, on behalf of the European Community and the member states, a Treaty for a new international organisation to be known as the European Aviation Safety Authority, involving both EU and non-EU member states, as well as the Community itself. The mandate required the Commission first to submit a draft outline text of the founding Treaty to a Special Committee of member states representatives. The draft Treaty agreed by the Special Committee envisages that national aviation authorities, such as the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority, will continue as nationally constituted.

The Commission has recently suggested an alternative option, based on the creation of a Community Agency. In this connection, DETR received in April 2000 a copy of the Communication from the Commission to the Council and the European Parliament entitled, "Commission Working Document with a view to discussions within the Council on the creation of the European Aviation Safety authority in the Community framework"—COM(2000) 144 final. This document also envisages the continuation of national aviation authorities.

Mr. Mitchell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which Treaty Articles, Regulations and Directives relating to the control of air traffic within the European Union will(a) permit and (b) prohibit, a continuation of the current ownership of and mode of control in the airspace of the United Kingdom. [121630]

Mr. Mullin

By virtue of Article 295 of the Treaty of Rome, provisions made by the European Union under the Common Transport Policy must not prejudice the rules in member states governing the system of property ownership.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what proportion of total aircraft movements in the United Kingdom were handled by National Air Traffic Services on the most recent date for which figures are available. [121751]

Mr. Mullin

In 1999, NATS handled 46 per cent. of all aircraft movements in or out of the 60 UK airports for which data are available. In addition, NATS handles all flights between UK airports and aircraft over-flying the UK.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many passengers used licensed airports in the United Kingdom during 1999; in how many of those airports National Air Traffic Services was provider of air traffic control; and where such airports were. [121750]

Mr. Mullin

In 1999 there were almost 170 million terminal passengers at the 60 UK airports for which data are available. NATS provided ATC services at 10 of these airports:

  • Aberdeen
  • Belfast International
  • Cardiff
  • Edinburgh
  • Glasgow
  • London Heathrow
  • London Gatwick
  • London City
  • London Stansted
  • Manchester.

Mrs. Dunwoody

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will list the providers of flight information air traffic control services to the aircraft in the open flight information regions. [121752]

Mr. Mullin

All Air Traffic Control (ATC) Units, both civil and military, are required to provide flight information services (FIS). This service is provided at the London and Scottish Air Traffic Control Centres by dedicated FIS controllers. At other ATC units, the provision of FIS is one of the primary responsibilities of all air traffic controllers.