Controversial plans to partially privatise the air traffic control system and bring in congestion charging have been put before MPs.

Speaking during a major Commons debate on the government's long-awaited transport bill, Mr Prescott said the proposed changes would not compromise air safety.

But the move to sell off 51% of the National Air Traffic Services (Nats) is being opposed by 50 Labour MPs, including the former transport minister Gavin Strang.

Safety fears

Mr Prescott told the House of Commons: "The concern that the profit motive will undermine safety has not been proven."

He said that the Civil Aviation Authority would continue to oversee safety and that the proposed part privatisation would enable the Nats to invest to cope with the projected growth in air traffic.

The deputy prime minister also unveiled plans to enable local authorities to bring in congestion charging on cars.

The money raised he said would be ring-fenced for at least 10 years, enabling local authorities to invest the money raised in improving transport locally.

The hypothecation of taxes was, Mr Prescott said, "a truly radical proposal that no British government has ever done before".

Mr Prescott also unveiled proposals for a Strategic Rail Authority to bring, "public accountability back to the rail industry".

The Conservative transport spokesman John Redwood then launched a stinging attack on Mr Prescott's plans.

Prescott's 'cowardice'

Baiting Mr Prescott on the recent handover of day to day responsibility for transport to Transport Minister Lord Macdonald, Mr Redwood dismissed the deputy prime minister's proposals as a "none bill from a none minister".

He said the sale of Nats was being radically undervalued by the government.

Mr Redwood then attacked Labour further saying the government's policies would "bash the motorist" and tax people off the road.

Turning to local authorities gaining the right to bring in parking and congestion charging he said Mr Prescott's "cowardice is such that he would rather see someone else take the immediate flak for imposing the charges."