§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how many representations have been received by the Government on the privatisation of Air Traffic Control; and of these, how many were classed as(a) supportive of privatisation and (b) against privatisation. [15877]
§ Mr. JamiesonNo central record has been kept of the number of such representations.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what protocols have been implemented between NATS and the MOD to ensure safety between civilian and military air traffic. [16757]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe system for air traffic control in UK airspace has long been based on a joint and integrated civil-military arrangement. The NATS public-private partnership provides for the continuance of this relationship and the Civil Aviation Authority is required to oversee the sustainment of efficient joint civil and military working. This oversight is carried out through the Joint Air Navigation Services Council that consists of senior representatives of NATS, Ministry of Defence and the CAA.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions (1) when the partners' investment will be committed to the NATS PPP; and how much it will be; [16755]
(2) when he expects to receive the proceeds from the NATS PPP. [16754]
§ Mr. JamiesonThe Government received proceeds totalling almost £770 million from the sale of a minority share in NATS to the chosen strategic partner, the Airline Group, on 26 July 2001. A further £35 million is due under the sale as deferred proceeds.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what the timetable is for invitations to tender for(a) Prestwick and (b) West Drayton air traffic control centres; and how these centres will be involved with European proposals on air traffic control. [16768]
§ Mr. JamiesonIn regard to the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick, I refer the hon. Member to the answer given to the hon. Member for Edinburgh, West (John Barrett) on 7 November 2001,Official Report, column 288W.
The West Drayton air traffic control centre, which is the existing London Area and Control Centre (LATCC), is not subject to tender.
All civilian air traffic control centres in the European Union would be covered by the proposals to create the Single European Sky. As these proposals are still in draft form, it is too early to say what their impact might be on individual control centres.
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions when EU clearance is expected for the NATS PPP. [16753]
§ Mr. JamiesonEU merger clearance for the Airline Group's participation in the NATS PPP was obtained on 14 May 2001.
287W
§ Mr. Clifton-BrownTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions how much the employees' share of the NATS PPP is expected to be; and when it will be available to them. [16756]
§ Mr. JamiesonUnder the public private partnership NATS employees are entitled to 5 per cent. of the total shareholding in NATS. The shares are held in an employee trust, the NATS Employee Share Trust Ltd. The initial allocation of shares to staff was made on 21 September and a second allocation is expected to be made by the trust early next year.