HC Deb 24 July 1957 vol 574 cc419-20
51. Mr. A. Roberts

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation when he proposes to sanction a direct air service between this country and South America.

Mr. Watkinson

It is open to B.O.A.C. to resume air services to South America whenever they consider, in their commercial judgment, they are justified in doing so. No independent company has yet sought approval to operate such a service.

Mr. Roberts

Is the Minister aware that, apart from the commercial practicability of this scheme, the prestige of B.O.A.C. and the aircraft we fly should be maintained and that could be considerably furthered by opening up a service to South America?

Mr. Watkinson

I agree with the hon. Member and, I think, with hon. Members on both sides of the House, that it would be a good thing to re-establish this service. That is why B.O.A.C. has recently sent a team to have a look at the ground, but we must be satisfied that there will be a possibility of it one day making a profit.

Mr. Farey-Jones

In view of the steadily decreasing British percentage of total international air traffic, has my right hon. Friend the necessary authority to issue a mandate that such a service shall be started in the shortest possible time?

Mr. Watkinson

I do not accept the first part of that supplementary question. I think we are holding our own in this competition. As to the second part of the question, I should not consider doing anything of the kind. B.O.A.C. must form its own commercial judgment in the light, also, of the possibility which I know the House shares—of trying to have a service if we can.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that there is more in it than that? Sao Paulo, in Brazil, has claims now to be the second busiest airport in the world. There is a commercial market in Brazil which may be almost second to none because of the peculiarities of the country and, unless Britain is showing the flag there, it may have a deterrent effect on our power to sell in this part of the world.

Mr. Watkinson

I quite accept the point made by the right hon. Member and I think the Chairman of B.O.A.C. is most anxious to do this if he can; but first he must assess the commercial possibility.