asked the Secretary of State for Transport what representations he has received from organisations representing air traffic controllers within the last three months; and what was the nature of these representations.
None.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport how many air traffic controllers were employed on Civil Aviation Authority contracts in each of the years 1977 to 1987.
The total number of air traffic control officers employed by the CAA in the National Air Traffic Services was:
| Number | |
| 31 March 1977 | 1,440 |
| 31 March 1978 | 1,420 |
| 31 March 1979 | 1,437 |
| 31 March 1980 | 1,493 |
| 31 March 1981 | 1,559 |
| 31 March 1982 | 1,559 |
| 31 March 1983 | 1,492 |
| 31 March 1984 | 1,446 |
| 31 March 1985 | 1,448 |
| 31 March 1986 | 1,394 |
| 31 December 1986 | 1,367 |
asked the Secretary of State for Transport what contingency plans exist to provide cover in the event of industrial action by air traffic controllers.
This matter is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. The scope for mitigating the effects of industrial action would depend upon the scale of a dispute. The CAA's contingency plans must remain confidential.
asked the Secretary of State for Transport if he is satisfied with the adequacy of the procedure for reporting near miss air collisions; and if he will make a statement.
The procedure for reporting near-miss air collisions is the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority. I have no reason to doubt its adequacy.