Question to the Department for Transport:

To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether his Department has issued strategic guidance to (a) NATS and (b) the Civil Aviation Authority on the future procurement of aviation radar systems in relation to the effect of those systems on the deployment of new (a) onshore and (b) offshore wind sites.

The Offshore Wind Sector Deal published by Government in March this year envisages up to 30GW of offshore wind deployment by 2030. An Aviation Management Board, in which the Department and relevant bodies such as NATS and CAA participate, has been established for the Government to work jointly with both the windfarm industry and aviation sector to find a solution which meets the needs of both industries and secures a safe airspace. This will ensure cross-government coordination on radar and aviation policy matters. The Department will take account of the outputs of this work in developing aviation policy.