§ 21. Mr. DICKIEasked the Under-Secretary of State for Air whether, in the interests of civil aviation, he will 332 inquire into the possibility of facilities being made for air passengers to book tickets on all British air-lines at the regular booking travel agencies?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for AIR (Sir Philip Sassoon)As my right hon. Friend who was then representing the Ministry of Transport stated in reply to a question on 30th May last, the position is that these agencies are, in fact, precluded by the conditions of their appointment as railway ticket agencies from selling tickets for air services which would compete with the services provided by the railway companies, without the latter's consent. It is a matter of contract or commercial agreement into which the parties thereto cannot be prevented from entering, and my Noble Friend sees no reason to intervene.
§ Mr. DICKIEWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the advisability of assisting these British air lines in the way suggested?
§ Sir P. SASSOONThe Air Ministry would be only too delighted to assist, but this matter is not our concern.
§ Mr. SIMMONDSIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the foreign air service operating from Liverpool to Hull can be patronised through these booking offices, but British internal services cannot?
§ Sir P. SASSOONYes, I know, but I do not think this is a matter for the Air Ministry. I will look into it further.
§ Mr. BUCHANANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that he ought to move with the times; and will he make representations in the proper quarter to have this altered?
§ Sir P. SASSOONI think the Air Ministry do move with the times; it is other people who do not.