The words “automatic techniques” used in the title of this paper are interpreted as applying to all aspects of the Air Traffic Control complex, in which the latest electronic and electromechanical developments and techniques might prove beneficial. Navigational capability, communications efficiency, data processing, planning and dynamic displays, and conflict detection can all be improved, for example, by equipment incorporating various degrees of automation. While it is easy to list such improvements, it is much more difficult to relate their value specifically to a particular Air Traffic Control problem at a particular centre, and to recommend in which respects money or effort expended by the Government responsible would bring them the greatest or most immediate benefit. In fact, experience shows that each case differs and requires special study and consideration so that any difficulties currently existing or foreseen can be expressed in terms that facilitate rational engineering solutions.