HC Deb 12 November 1952 vol 507 cc917-8
6. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation why it is necessary to widen the gap between the air fares charged by the Corporation on their East African route, and the air coach service provided by independent operators; and what action he proposes to take.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

A reasonable gap is necessary between the fares on tourist and colonial coach services to ensure that each caters for a different class of traffic. As regards the East African route, I have approved a recommendation from the Air Transport Advisory Council based on proposals agreed between the Corporation and the independent operators that the fares on the colonial coach service to Nairobi should be reduced. The proposal is also subject to the approval of the East African authorities.

Mr. Beswick

Is the Minister aware that this jargon about a three-tier structure is, in fact, simply a cover up of policy which is not in the best interests of civil aviation? Can I ask him to give this undertaking to the House—that if the Corporation can operate services there with modern aircraft, such as the "Britannia," at a fare below that or equal to that of the so-called colonial coach service, will he enable the Corporation to do so?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

If the hon. Member lived in East Africa he would regard the word "jargon" as wholly inappropriate. The result of the three-tier structure is that in East Africa people will be able to travel cheaper than otherwise they would be able to do.

Mr. Mikardo

Is it not a fact that, when one has taken out all the verbiage, what the Minister has done is to ask the Corporation to put up their fares in order to make it easier for private operators to compete with them? In what way does that benefit the people of East Africa?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

As the hon. Member has a close knowledge of certain aviation matters, he ought to be more careful in his words. While neither the tourist structure should be disguised as a colonial coach nor vice versa, the consequences of the three-tier structure to the travelling public should be that they should be able to travel more cheaply. As a result of the new tourist service to be introduced on 17th November by B.O.A.C. on that East African route, the rate reduction will be 28 per cent. below the standard fare. As a consequence of those changes the reduction on the colonial coach service will be now 40 per cent. instead of 35 per cent. As a result, the number of people who will now be able to keep contact with home will be immeasurably increased.

Mr. Beswick

Is the Minister aware that we were not against cheap fares but were in favour of them and, indeed, encouraged them? Is he aware that our objection is to this attempt to maintain the Corporation fare at the second level when possibly they can bring it down?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The hon. Member cannot have it both ways. At home hon. Members opposite talk about anarchy on the roads. In the air we are trying to have regulated competition, the result of which will be cheaper fares in East Africa.

Mr. Mikardo

"Regulated" is right.