Transport and Housing Bureau's response to media enquiries on the new ATMS
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The CAD did explain in public many times that it is an international practice to conduct surveys on staff readiness on a named basis during the training period of ATMS transitions. This will accurately assess staff readiness and, more importantly, offer appropriate help and assistance to address the diverse needs of air traffic controllers (ATCOs). This arrangement has been endorsed by the bureau's overseas independent consultant, the National Air Traffic Services (NATS) as well.
Regarding Mr Tam's claim that he has in hand a list of suspected CAD management staff who were allegedly involved in threatening ATCOs and his request for the bureau to follow up, the Secretary for Transport and Housing, Professor Anthony Cheung Bing-leung, already replied in writing to Mr Tam on November 14 this year, asking him to encourage staff concerned to provide relevant details to the Director-General of Civil Aviation (DGCA)/the THB for follow-up in accordance with the established mechanism. The DGCA issued a press release on the same day to explain the issue to the public. The DGCA also stated clearly that if individual staff members still have misgivings despite the existing established mechanism, worrying that their concerns could not be timely or effectively addressed, they can always approach the DGCA himself or the bureaux concerned.
An officer from the bureau yesterday contacted Mr Tam by phone on the latter's request for a meeting, and reiterated the above stance. The officer also pointed out that if the list on CAD middle and senior management who were allegedly involved in threatening ATCOs in the survey is received, the bureau will then follow the established mechanism to invite the DGCA to examine whether such claims are substantiated and to take follow-up actions.
In response to media enquiries on whether an agreement has been reached between the bureau and Mr Tam for THB to investigate the allegation immediately, the THB now clarifies solemnly that this is totally unfounded. The THB officer reiterated to Mr Tam that if the bureau has received the said list, the bureau will follow the established mechanism to invite the DGCA to follow up accordingly and submit a report to the THB. So far the THB officer concerned has not received the list as mentioned in Mr Tam's statement during office hours yesterday.
Ends/Thursday, December 22, 2016
Issued at HKT 0:33
Issued at HKT 0:33
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