HC Deb 19 March 1947 vol 435 cc406-7
63. Major Bruce

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is now in a position to make a statement on the application of the Civil Aviation Act to the Channel Islands.

Mr. Lindgren

As I stated in my reply on 12th March to the hon Member for Cheltenham (Mr. Lipson), my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Home Department and my noble Friend have had under consideration resolutions of the States of Jersey and of Guernsey regarding application of the Civil Aviation Act, 1946, to the Channel Islands. In the course of the past year there have been numerous consultations between the Island authorities and the Home Office and the Ministry of Civil Aviation and last week delegations were received from the States of Jersey and of Guernsey, when the representations of the Island States were fully discussed. As a result an Order-in-Council was made on 17th March applying the Civil Aviation Act, 1946, with certain modifications, to the Channel Islands. The main modifications are that the Minister's power of compulsory acquisition of land is not extended to the Islands and that the Insular Authorities are empowered to licence operators to run scheduled air services between the Islands, in addition to the Statutory Corporations.

Mr. Lipson

Can my hon. Friend say if the agreement now arrived at which he has announced is one which has met with the approval of the authorities in the Islands?

Mr. Lindgren

I am happy to assure the hon. Member that that is so.