HC Deb 19 December 1945 vol 417 cc1338-9
77. Colonel J. R. H. Hutchison

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what is the schedule of fares from Britain to New York and from London to Glasgow by B.O.A.C.

Mr. Ivor Thomas

On the London to Glasgow service the fares charged are: — single, £9 os. od.; return, £14 10s. od. This service is operated by Railway Air Services Ltd.. not by British Overseas Airways Corporation. On the British Overseas Airways Corporation flying-boat service across the Atlantic the terminal point in the United States is Baltimore. With permission, I will circulate in the Official Report a schedule of the fares charged.

Colonel Hutchison

Arising out of the first part of that answer, is the Minister aware that a Scottish service, namely, Scottish Aviation, are prepared to carry out this operation at something like half the price which he has just quoted?

Mr. Thomas

I have seen many schedules of the proposed fares, but I have yet to be satisfied that they could be carried out in practice. Naturally, these fares are based on the present conditions and the fares will become much cheaper in peace.

Colonel Hutchison

Will the Minister be prepared to give them a trial?

Mr. Thomas

The policy of the Government has been very clearly announced.

Following is the schedule:

North Atlantic summer route (direct).
£ s. d.
Poole to Foynes 11 10 0
Poole to Botwood 120 0 0
Poole to Baltimore 142 0 0
Winter route (via Bermuda).
Westbound.
Poole to Lisbon 35 0 0
Poole to Bathurst 65 0 0
Poole to Trinidad 173 0 0
Poole to Bermuda 190 0 0
Poole to Baltimore 198 0 0
Eastbound. $
Baltimore to Bermuda 80
Baltimore to Foynes 525
Baltimore to Poole 647

Return fares, where available, show a reduction of 10 per cent.