HC Deb 02 July 1947 vol 439 cc1310-3
43. Mrs. Mann

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why passengers are refused bookings on the ground that there are no seats available on the Renfrew—London route, when the seats on the journey are not fully occupied.

Mr. Lindgren

I am informed by the British European Airways Corporation that no bookings are refused on the Renfrew—London route if passenger accommodation is available on the aircraft at the time of the request. It sometimes happens, however, that an aircraft may leave with empty seats, because of a last minute cancellation, or because passengers may fail to make use of their bookings, or arrive too late to board the aircraft. Bookings which are cancelled at the last minute are offered to any intending passengers who may be waiting at the airport. Occasionally an aircraft will leave with empty seats because excess mail is being carried.

Mrs. Mann

Is my hon. Friend aware that one of the reasons why passengers cannot get seats is because the office is closed early at night and opens late in the morning, unlike the railway services, where one can phone at 11 o'clock or 12 o'clock at night; and is he further aware that they have office hours, and that this is just not good enough for an emergency plane service?

Mr. Lindgren

Scotland has a Scottish Advisory Council to assist in the management of its own affairs. Doubtless, if complaints were made to that Council, they would be looked into and attended to.

Colonel Gomme - Duncan

Is not the hon. Gentleman aware that everything which has been brought by this Council to the notice of the Ministry has been entirely disregarded?

Mr. Lindgren

That statement is completely without foundation. Not a single item has been brought to the attention of the Minister by the Council. Each item dealt with by the Council has been put to one or other of the various Corporations.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

What about the radar equipment at Prestwick?

Mrs. Mann

Of what use is the Scottish Advisory Council, or any other council, which does not know that a plane is something which is to be used in an emergency, and that there should be someone on duty at all hours of the night?

Mr. Lindgren

This is a Scottish battle. [HON. MEMBERS: "No."] The Council was appointed on nominations from various bodies within Scotland itself.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

They did not ask for it.

44. Mrs. Mann

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why bookings to London via Prestwick are refused at Renfrew; and why passengers arriving at Prestwick are told to find their own transport to Renfrew.

Mr. Lindgren

I am informed by the British European Airways Corporation that a passenger wishing to travel on the Prestwick—London service may, if he so desires, make a booking at Renfrew. If my hon. Friend is aware of any case of refusal and will send me details I shall be glad to bring it to the notice of the Corporation. As regards the second part of the Question, the services London—Prestwick and London—Renfrew are entirely separate and unconnected services, and no question of providing transport between Prestwick and Renfrew therefore arises.

Mrs. Mann

Does my hon. Friend know that the hon. Member for Coatbridge cannot get a booking between Renfrew and Prestwick; and would he see that the two stations are, at least, on speaking terms?

Mr. William Ross

Will the Parliamentary Secretary also make sure, in getting these two stations on speaking terms, that unnecessary inconvenience and expense is not incurred by passengers wishing to travel from Renfrew to London when they come from the Prestwick area by having to make their own private arrangements, when the plane itself starts from Prestwick?

Mr. Lindgren

There are two distinct services, one Prestwick to London and the other Renfrew to London. If a passenger makes the choice of the Prestwick-London service, then it is no concern of the operators to provide transport for them to Prestwick.

Mr. Douglas Marshall

Is the Minister aware that, whereas Scotland has some type of air service, the West of England and Cornwall have none at all?

Mr. Gallacher

I want to ask the Minister very seriously, in view of the statement he has made, if the Scottish Advisory Council will be permitted to meet and take decisions on these questions?

Mr. Lindgren

The Scottish Advisory Council is a council, as its name indicates, to give advice, and its advice is invariably accepted.

Colonel Gomme-Duncan

It is never taken, and never has been.

Mr. Rankin

In view of the tact that the fare from Prestwick to London is the same as the fare from Renfrew to London, is it not absurd that a plane should leave Prestwick with empty seats, and that passengers anxious to use it, because transport—

Mr. Speaker

This Question asks why passengers arriving at Prestwick are told to find their own transport to Renfrew. It has nothing to do with transport to London.

Mr. Rankin

It operates both ways. Just as no transport can be laid on to Prestwick from London, no transport is laid on from Prestwick to London. That is the point.