HL Deb 20 January 1976 vol 367 cc349-51

2.50 p.m.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether, in the event of Concorde being refused landing rights in New York and Washington as a result of the current Federal Government in- quiry, they will, in concert with the French Government, take steps to restrict in a similar manner the operations of Pan Am and TWA at Paris and London Airports.

The PARLIAMENTARY UNDER-SECRETARY OF STATE, DEPARTMENT OF INDUSTRY (Lord Melchett)

My Lords, we had a fair hearing in Washington and put forward a strong case. I do not therefore expect the decision to go against Concorde's entry into the United States.

The Earl of KIMBERLEY

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that Answer. But my Question is: Should the decision go the wrong way, will Her Majesty's Government be in complete harmony with the French Government as to what they will do? It will be no good shutting the door after the horse has gone.

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, what happens in the event of what the noble Earl is envisaging is a hypothetical question, and Her Majesty's Government would need very carefully to consider the terms of any refusal which might come from the United States. There has been complete collaboration with the French Government over the presentation of the case for Concorde in the United States, and I certainly expect that very close and complete collaboration to continue.

Lord DUNCAN-SANDYS

My Lords, in the course of the argument, will the Government make sure that they remind the United States authorities that a leading American firm was developing a faster and far noisier supersonic airliner, and that if the project had not beeen abandoned for technical and commercial reasons it is inconceivable that it would not have been allowed to operate from American airports?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, that is another hypothetical question; but I have no doubt that the American Government are acutely aware of that.

Earl FERRERS

My Lords, can the noble Lord answer a question that is not hypothetical; namely, in terms of revenue, how much does the United States benefit over ourselves from bilateral agreements that we have to land aircraft in the United States and England?

Lord MELCHETT

My Lords, I cannot answer that question without notice.

Earl FERRERS

My Lords, would the noble Lord look to see whether it is not four times the amount?

Lord MELCHETT

Yes, my Lords, I will.