HC Deb 24 July 1946 vol 426 cc15-6
18. Mr. William Shepherd

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation, whether he is now in a position to announce the abolition of priorities on B.O.A.C. continental services.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Ivor Thomas)

It is still necessary to maintain priority control over a percentage of the seats on the B.O.A.C. Continental Services, but the majority of the seats on all services are allocated to B.O.A.C. for commercial disposal. The services are kept under continuous review and reduc- tions in the priority seats are made as circumstances justify.

Mr. Shepherd

Does not the hon. Gentleman realise that these priorities affect adversely the commercial value of our air services; that other countries are operating non-priority services on the same routes; and is it not time that the Department awakened to the need of a live commercial policy?

Mr. Thomas

We are sweeping away priorities as rapidly as we can, and I would like to take the opportunity of suggesting that applicants should go to B.O.A.C. in the first instance. They may find that better.