HC Deb 23 November 1955 vol 546 cc1452-3
20. Mr. G. Jeger

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation whether he is aware of the irritation caused by the imposition and separate collection of the 5s. airport tax; and, in view of the recent resolution of the Consultative Assembly of the Council of Europe, whether he will now either abolish this tax or take steps to have it included in the fare paid by the passengers.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There is no such tax. The passenger service charge of 5s. per passenger is levied on the airlines, and helps to reduce the burden on the taxpayer for the maintenance of passenger facilities at airports. As I have previously told the House, the method by which the airlines reimburse themselves for the charge is for them to decide.

Mr. Jeger

Is the Minister not aware that it is only ourselves and France who levy this tax separately and that it is a constant irritation to travellers, particularly to foreign travellers, who are merely passing through London Airport and who have to go from one desk to another to pay an occasional 5s., sometimes in English currency which they do not happen to possess? Will he not consider this question and do something sensible about it?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

The hon. Member should appreciate that this is a charge which is levied on the airlines and that the form, if any, in which they collect it from the passengers—for example, the desk method to which the hon. Member referred—is a matter for them and not for me.

Mr. Beswiek

Was it not agreed in the first place that as soon as it was administratively possible, the airlines would include this sum in the price of the ticket? Why has this agreement not be carried out?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I understand that generally speaking the system is working quite satisfactorily—[Horn. MEMBERS: "No."]—with the charge collected, for reasons that the hon. Member will understand, not in the price of the ticket, but at the same time as the ticket—[HON. MEMBERS: "No."]—with a certain inducement to the airlines—this is as far as I can go—to do it in this manner by way of a grant of rebate.

Mr. Remnant

Will my right hon. Friend appreciate the irritation that is caused not only by this charge but by its method of collection? If a passenger desires to keep within the schedules of currency which he can export he is that much short when charged for himself and his wife at the airport.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I agree that, from the point of view of irritation, the essence is the method of collection, but, as I have already stated, that is a matter over which I have no control.

Mr. Stokes

Has the right hon. Gentleman control over anything?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I wish I had over the right hon. Gentleman.