5. Mr. Watkinsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation why the Welsh Advisory Council on Civil Aviation were not consulted or advised about the restoration of the Cardiff-Weston air service; and whether this will be done in future in connection with any civil aviation services in Wales.
§ Mr. LindgrenThe answer to the first part of the Question is that the Welsh Advisory Council were so advised. As to the second part of the Question, I am informed by the British European Airways Corporation that they will, as far as practicable, consult the Council about any future alterations of civil air services in Wales.
Mr. WatkinsIs my hon. Friend aware that the Welsh Advisory Council were not consulted as he has suggested, but merely informed about it? Is he further aware of the fact that the Council were not informed until Members of this House were informed at a private deputation?
§ Mr. LindgrenI do not want to come into conflict with my hon. Friend, but the facts are that the Welsh Advisory Council asked for reconsideration of the discontinuance of the service. A reply was sent on 15th March by the Chairman of B.E.A. to the Chairman of the Advisory Council, and it was not until May that the final decision was made. They were informed in March of what was going to happen, and this House was not informed until May.
§ Mr. Goronwy RobertsIs my hon. Friend aware that civil air services are at present non-existent in Wales, and will he consult with this elaborately set up Council in order to get something going?
§ Mr. LindgrenYes, I will consult, but I am not very sanguine as to the result so far as the provision of services is concerned.
§ Mr. Price-WhiteIs the Minister aware that the supplementary question asked by the hon. Gentleman the Member for Caernarvonshire (Mr. G. Roberts) is perfectly correct, that there are no services in Wales and that the Welsh Advisory Council appear to be merely a sop to Welsh opinion; and has he any plans for Welsh aviation or is he satisfied that we still travel about in coracles?
§ Mr. LindgrenWhen, in fact, there is a proved demand for services that demand will be satisfied.
§ Mr. Edgar GranvilleDoes that answer mean that these services can use almost any airport without consulting any body or the hon. Gentleman's own Department?
§ Mr. LindgrenNo, Sir. This is a body, advisory to the British European Airways Corporation, set up with the intention that Welsh public opinion on these matters, especially on air services for that area, should be expressed to the Corporation.