§ John BarrettTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what preparatory work has been completed in the building of the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick; [29101]
(2) what plans she has to hold further meetings with (a) representatives of NATS and (b) others regarding the building of the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick; [29103]
(3) if she will make a statement about her meeting with the senior management of NATS, held on 16 January; [29104]
(4) what requests she received from representatives of NATS asking for financial assistance for the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick (a)before 16 January and (b) at her meeting with the senior management of NATS on 16 January; [29105]
(5) what estimate she has made of the total cost for the building of the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick; and how this figure differs from the estimated cost before the delay; [29098]
(6) what interim targets and dates have been set for the building of the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick; [29099]
(7) what efforts she will make to monitor the progress of the building of the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick; [29100]
(8) what is the completion date for the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick; [29102]
(9) when she last met (a) the Secretary of State for Transport and (b) the Under Secretary of State for Transport to discuss the building of the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick. [29097]
§ Mrs. LiddellMy hon. Friend the Minister of State and I met with Richard Everitt, the CEO of National Air Traffic Services Ltd. (NATS) on 16 January. It was a useful and constructive meeting, at which I stressed the importance of the NATS new Scottish Centre (NSC) at Prestwick to the Scottish economy.
Mr. Everitt confirmed that NATS remained committed to a two-centre strategy, and to the construction of the NSC at Prestwick to bring it into operation in the 707W 2008–09 time scale. he has agreed to keep me informed over the coming months about NATS plans for implementation of the project.
I continue to have regular discussions with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions on a wide range of transport issues which affect Scotland, including matters relating to the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick.
I have not received any requests from NATS asking for financial assistance for the centre at Prestwick.
NATS have indicated that their intention is to transfer staff from the existing centre at Prestwick to the new centre when it is completed. It is not expected that the operation of the new centre will result in additional jobs; however, there will be some additional short-term employment opportunities during the construction and commissioning phase.
Although construction of the new air traffic control centre at Prestwick is being deferred, contracts for the design of the building and initial site works are in progress and will be completed. The value of these contracts is a commercial matter between NATS and the contractors. Construction of the building and the design and installation of equipment systems will be subject to a competitive procurement process, which will determine the total costs of the new centre.