HC Deb 31 October 2000 vol 355 c385W
17. Mr. Mackinlay

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if he will make a statement on the recent breakdowns of the air traffic control system. [133317]

Mr. Mullin

The Government greatly regret the inconvenience and costs caused to passengers and airlines by the recent failures of the Flight Data Processing System at West Drayton, most notably on 17 June. NATS has taken measures to enhance the robustness of this system which has proved extremely reliable over the years.

Mr. Dalyell

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions which discussions have taken place since 1 August on the future of air traffic control between his Department and(a) IPMS and (b) BALPA. [133491]

Mr. Mullin

We have had a series of discussions at both Ministerial and official level with the Institute of Professional and Managerial Staffs and the Public and Commercial Services Union. Most recently, officials from my Department have held discussions with representatives of both those unions on 4 October 2000 about the proposed public-private partnership for National Air Traffic Services.

We have received no recent representations from the British Association of Airline Pilots.