HC Deb 18 June 1958 vol 589 cc1106-7
20. Mr. Hurd

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation how much was received last year from the airport service charge levied individually on passengers departing from United Kingdom airports; to what extent this charge is subject to international agreement; and how long he proposes to continue it.

Mr. Watkinson

The sum received last financial year for the passenger service charge amounted to £384,000. The charge is not levied by the Ministry individually on passengers, but on the airline operators, who pass the charge on.

The charge is not subject to international agreement, but has the support of the International Civil Aviation Organisation.

In view of the contribution which this charge on the airline operators makes in reducing the burden on the taxpayer for the maintenance of passenger facilities at airports, I do not propose to discontinue it.

Mr. Hurd

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that the levying of this charge individually on passengers is most irksome, when they are hot and bothered anyway? Would not it be much better to instruct the airlines using the airfields of his Ministry that they should include this necessary charge in the fare?

Mr. Watkinson

I will certainly look into that point.

Mr. Beswick

Was not it the original intention that this charge should be absorbed into the fare? Can the Minister say whether the airline companies have refused to carry out what I understood was a virtual promise in the first place?

Mr. Watkinson

I think that in some cases it has been absorbed into the fare, but I will certainly look at the matter, because I think it would be much easier for the passengers in all cases.

Mr. Woodburn

Is the Minister satisfied that it is not charged by the airport authorities? That is the impression one gets, when one pays it separately from the ticket. I agree with the hon. Member for Newbury (Mr. Hurd) that it is a most irritating practice when people are hurrying for planes.

Mr. Watkinson

I quite agree that it is very irritating and I will consider the whole matter. The point I was making was that I cannot afford to forgo the revenue.