HC Deb 29 May 1957 vol 571 cc392-3
7. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what representations have been made to him by the Government of France with regard to air tourist services into France: what planned air services have, in consequence. been cut; what action he proposes to take about this new policy introduced by the Government of France; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Watkinson

I have received no representations from the Government of France with regard to air tourist services into France. The French Government have continued to be generous in granting permission for a very large number of such services by British airlines. This year they have refused permission only for one proposed service and have placed conditions on their permission for another. I am not aware of the introduction of any new policy on this question by the French Government.

Mr. Beswick

Is it not a fact that three companies were affected by a recent decision of the French Government? Is the Minister satisfied that his Department is sufficiently active or sufficiently forceful in pressing the traffic rights of this country? In view of the sort of things that happen when senior Ministers go from Holland, does the right hon. Gentleman not think that we could do rather more to protect our rights in this sort of case?

Mr. Watkinson

I do not see where Holland comes into this. The facts are that British airlines want to make much greater use of French airfields than French airlines, on the whole, want to make of British airfields. Therefore, the force of our representations, which have been very vigorously made, is somewhat limited by the fact that we do not offer France the number of facilities that we want to get from that country. Indeed, I think that the French Government have been quite reasonable in their attitude.