§ 13. Mr. Emeryasked the Minister of Aviation what action he is taking to obtain lower trans-Atlantic air fares; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RipponThis winter trans-Atlantic fares on schedule services have been reduced to the lowest point ever by the introduction of excursion fares which are 29 per cent. below standard fares. British operators have been the first to press for fare reductions, and I am satisfied that they are doing all that is possible to maintain this trend.
§ Mr. EmeryDoes my hon. Friend realise that, even with these reductions, in comparison with a comparable route, with the same aircraft, over a comparable distance from Boston to Los Angeles, the fares are 2¾ times less? Does not the Parliamentary Secretary 11 realise that because of the effectiveness clause of the I.A.T.A. constitution, the Government are ultimately responsible for this pricing system, and will he do something about it?
§ Mr. RipponDirect comparisons between these international routes and United States domestic routes are difficult, since international services are nesessarily more difficult to operate and because of special allowances for the crews abroad, proportionately higher overhead costs, and so forth.