§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received 219WS on the reliability of the pilot controller radio communication system; and if he will make a statement; [R] [89004]
(2) what representations he has received on the clarity of the newly fitted computer screens at Swanwick air traffic control centre; [88999]
(3) what representations he has received on equipment failure experienced by NATS; and if he will make a statement. [89009]
§ Mr. JamiesonI have received a number of representations in recent months concerning NATS' systems or equipment but these are primarily matters for NATS as the service provider. I understand there were computer failures at West Drayton on 27 March 2002 and 10 April and on 17 May at Swanwick and there have been other, well-publicised, minor problems such as print size on the computer screens at Swanwick. The problems which led to the computer failures have been identified and addressed. New software, which provided revised colours and fonts on the radar displays in response to staff concerns, was successfully introduced intro Swanwick on 6 November.
The CAA, as safety regulator, has remained satisfied throughout that safety has not been compromised.
§ Miss McIntoshTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport how many engineers were employed by NATS on(a) 1 May 1997 and (b) 1 May 2002. [89008]
§ Mr. JamiesonNATS employed 1,177 engineers on 1 May 1997 and 1,270 on 1 May 2002.