HC Deb 04 October 1944 vol 403 cc910-1
15. Mr. Bowles

asked the Secretary of State for Air what are the Government's plans and programmes for an orderly world system of civil aviation.

Sir A. Sinclair

As the House is aware, the Government are seeking international collaboration in the development of an orderly world system of civil air transport. The principles which the Government favour were stated by the Lord Privy Seal in another place on 10th May last. These are the elimination of uneconomic competition, the maintenance of a balance between transport capacity and traffic offering on the international routes and the control and allocation of frequencies by and between the countries concerned.

Mr. Bowles

Has the Minister's attention been called to a speech made by his right hon. and gallant Friend the Under- Secretary about two and a half weeks ago, in which he was trying to assure people interested in civil aviation that plans really did exist, and indicated that he, at least, could not accept as satisfactory to the ordinary civilian aviation people the kind of statement just made by the right hon. Gentleman?

Sir A. Sinclair

I am sure that the plans referred to by my right hon. and gallant Friend the Under-Secretary are those I have just mentioned.

Mr. Shinwell

Has the Minister seen the speeches which have been made by air experts in America indicating that nothing will prevent America from entering bilateral agreements with other countries in relation to air routes?

Sir A. Sinclair

A great many speeches have been made on both sides of the Atlantic, and that is why I am glad to know that representatives of the Governments concerned will shortly meet round a table to discuss this problem.