HC Deb 22 March 1950 vol 472 c1950
36. Mr. McAdden

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation whether he is aware that an application from East Anglian Flying Services Limited to provide a mid-week day excursion service between Southend and Ostend at a fare of £2 15s. 0d. for the return journey has been refused unless the fare is increased to £5 5s. 0d.; and if he will take steps to have this decision reversed.

Mr. Beswick

The fares charged on international scheduled services are subject to international agreement. There was no possibility of such agreement to the excursion fare originally proposed.

Mr. McAdden

Is the hon. Gentleman ready to use his influence to see that the operation of such monopoly practices in connection with airline services in this country is discontinued?

Mr. Beswick

There is no question of monopoly practices on this route. The difficulty was to get international agreement to this particular fare. I am sure the hon. Gentleman would agree that it is rather difficult to encourage undercutting in this particular field.

Air-Commodore Harvey

Will the hon. Gentleman say why his Department did not apply that principle when B.O.A.C. under-cut the charter companies flying the personnel out to the groundnut scheme?

Mr. Speaker

That is another question, and has nothing to do with this one.