§ 36. Mr. McAddenasked 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. BeswickThe 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. McAddenIs 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. BeswickThere 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 HarveyWill 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. SpeakerThat is another question, and has nothing to do with this one.