HC Deb 12 November 1952 vol 507 cc920-1
10. Mr. Shepherd

asked the Minister of Civil Aviation whether, in view of the limited British European Airways service to Manchester, he will give permission to Scottish Airlines to call at Ringway instead of Burton Wood.

Mr. Maudling

Questions of this kind are for consideration in the first instance by the Air Transport Advisory Council on application from an interested company. The Council has recommended, and my right hon. Friend has approved, an application from Scottish Airlines to route their Prestwick-London service via Ringway instead of Burton Wood for the period 8th October to 3rd December.

Mr. Shepherd

Is it not a fact that this routing is due entirely to the fact that Burton Wood aerodrome is being reconstructed? Is it not ridiculous that this company is forced to go via Burton Wood, which is of no value to people going to Manchester, when there is a real demand for services to Manchester?

Mr. Maudling

The answer is that the company have not yet applied for permission beyond 30th December. As soon as they do so, it will be considered by the Air Transport Advisory Council.

Mr. Shepherd

Does my hon. Friend realise that the company have previously applied for permission and that the application has been turned down?

Mr. Maudling

That is not my information. I understand that they have applied for permission for the period in question, which has been granted.

Mr. Mikardo

Can the hon. Gentleman say whether, when the application was granted, it was in accordance with the undertaking he recently gave that before any such application was granted he would satisfy himself that the wages paid and the conditions observed by the licensee were equal to those established by the National Joint Council?

Mr. Maudling

Before my right hon. Friend approved this he satisfied himself that the terms and conditions set out in the directive had been met.