The House

Air traffic delay

THE Government last night insisted it was committed to the privatisation of the air traffic control service after it emerged a pounds 350m centre designed as the answer to Britain's crowded skies is six years behind schedule.

The centre at Swanwick, Hampshire, meant to open in 1996 then delayed until 1999, is now not scheduled to open until 2002, the Transport minister, John Reid, said.

Diligent peers

TORY PEERS launched a counter-attack against the Government's plans to scrap hereditaries' voting rights yesterday when they claimed they were completing the longest parliamentary session for well over 20 years.

Today's business

COMMONS: Education and Employment questions; debate on housing report; debate on report on reform of European structural funds; debate on access for disabled.

LORDS: Scotland Bill, report stage; debate on taxing pesticides.