22 September 2000
The cross-party group of MPs said they were not satisfied the government would get the best price for the 46% stake in Nats because of the new air traffic control centre's troubled history.
Swanwick, in Hampshire, has been plagued by technological problems and is running six years late. When it comes into operation it will control most of the airspace over England and Wales.
The committee warned that potential buyers could not be sure they would be getting a system that worked, as there would be no chance to see the systems in operation before they submitted their bids.
'We are concerned that the price obtained will be reduced as a result,' they added. 'We are not satisfied that the government will get the best value for money by selling part of National Air Traffic Services before the new air traffic control centre is fully operational.'
The MPs' comments came in their reply to the annual report produced by the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, which set out the ministry's ten key objectives.
They commended the DETR's action plan but called on it to speed up the pace of change. 'There has been progress this year, but we remain impatient with the pace of implementation,' the MPs said.
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