HC Deb 23 July 1958 vol 592 cc414-5
45. Mr. Beswick

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation what United Kingdom traffic rights have now been granted to the new Ghana Airways Company; and to what extent it is his policy to share the United Kingdom percentage of traffic to Ghana between more than one British operator.

Mr. Watkinson

Pending the conclusion of a formal Air Services Agreement with Ghana, a temporary permit has been granted for Ghana Airways to operate to London via Algiers and Barcelona. Hunting Clan Air Transport and Airwork Ltd. will continue to provide a service between London and Accra via Lisbon, Las Palmas, Bathurst and Freetown.

Mr. Beswick

May I now ask the Minister to be good enough to answer the second part of the Question, in so far as it relates to his policy? As he knows, his policy previously was to allow the two independent companies to go direct to Ghana. Having now to share the traffic between the United Kingdom and Ghana, does he still intend to share the United Kingdom element between B.O.A.C., as the national instrument, and the independent companies? If that is his intention, does not he think that he is penalising the Corporation?

Mr. Watkinson

I think that that is not quite correct, because these are two quite different routes, two different ways to the same place, which pick up different classes of passengers. If the hon. Gentleman wants to know what my policy is, I shall be glad to tell him. It is to try to give a fair share of this air traffic business both to the independents and to the Corporation.

Mr. Beswick

Would not he, therefore, agree that the English chosen instrument, B.O.A.C., will be the only national instrument operating from Europe that has to share the traffic down to Ghana with other companies of its own nationality? Does not he think that that is penalising the Corporation?

Mr. Watkinson

No. I do not, because, as I said the other day, it is a reasonably competitive world in air transport, and I am sure that the Corporation is prepared to face a certain amount of competition.