HC Deb 03 February 1954 vol 523 cc352-5
45. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what proposals the British Overseas AirwaysCorporation have submitted in the past 15 months to him, or to the Air Transport Advisory Council for operating an all-freight service over the North Atlantic: and what machines have been ordered to operate such a service.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

None, Sir.

Mr. Beswick

Is it not a fact that the Corporation did put in an application some time ago and the chairman, in evidence before the Select Committee, said that they had actually bought the aircraft to operate along this route? Can the right hon. Gentleman see any reason for this change of policy?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I have answered that no such application was made in the period asked for—15 months. As the hon. Member knows, the chairman of the Corporation gave me an assurance that they would not apply for such a freight service for one year after 16th July, 1952, and there has not been such an application even though that year has past.

Mr. Beswick

Can the right hon. Gentleman say for what these machines which were originally purchased to operate this route would be used?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

That neither arises out of the Question, nor falls within my province to answer.

Mr. Beswick

Would the right hon. Gentleman be good enough to answer the second part of the Question I put to him?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

I think the next Question deals with that, but, if the hon. Member likes, I will answer it now.

Mr. Beswick

I should like an answer to the second part of Question No. 45.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The hon. Member has asked what machines have been ordered to operate such a service. As far as I know, the Corporation have no such service in mind. The purchase of aircraft is a commercial matter for them to justify and for them to explain. I have answered the Question, which is that they have not put in an application to run such a service in the last 15 months.

46. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation the policy of his Department with regard to permitting independent air transport companies to offer all-freight services over the North Atlantic; and how far this opportunity will be open equally to all operators.

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The policy of Her Majesty's Government is set out in the terms of reference of the Air Transport Advisory Council. All operators are equally free to apply.

Mr. Beswick

Can the Minister say if it would be in accordance with his policy for one private company to be put into a specially protected position on this route? Can he say whether any company has been assured that it would be given a monopoly of service on this route?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

It is certainly not my policy that any company should be given any preferential advantage when they first appear before the A.T.A.C. Once they have made an application and I have approved, clearly any other applicant would not have to undermine the service provided by the first successful applicant. Otherwise, British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways would be in considerable difficulty on their protected routes. I have given conditional approval to Air-work to operate an all-freight service to the United States, subject to authority at the receiving end by the President of the United States, in whose authority it lies to give an operating permit. If that is granted, I will consider a detailed programme from this very enterprising private company.

Mr. Beswick

Is the right hon. Gentleman saying that this company has been assured that the Corporation will not under any circumstances be allowed to operate along the North Atlantic route? Can he say why that company has also been given assurances in connection with other routes?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

The hon. Member surely knows enough to know that, once a company has been chosen to operate a route, all applicants—whether Corporation or private operators—have to satisfy the A.T.A.C. that their service will not undermine the existing service. No privilege of any kind has been given this firm which would not be given to any other successful firm or to the Corporations.

Mr. Beswick

Will the Minister assure the House that no private company has been given a specially protected position, not only along this route, but along other routes? Has any arrangement been reached between this private company and the Corporation without his consent?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

Certainly not. The proper constitutional procedure, disclosed to Parliament in full detail, has been followed in this and every other case.

Mr. Fell

Is it not a fact that the only organisations which have specially protected conditions are the public corporations?

Mr. Lennox-Boyd

That is so.