§ 13. Mr. Collardasked the Minister of Aviation what applications have been received from British airlines other than British European Airways to carry Service families to and from Cyprus on leave at concessional rates.
§ Mr. CollardWould the hon. Gentleman agree that the B.E.A. concessional return fare of £60 is rather high, and would he agree also that some competition here might have the effect of reducing it, to the benefit of the Service families in Cyprus?
§ Mr. RipponThe B.E.A. concessional fare is offered on all scheduled services. I do not think there is any reason to believe that a better proposition could be put forward. Of course, it is always open to any airline to make an appropriate application.
§ Mr. CollardMay I assure my hon. Friend that there is some dissatisfaction 11 among Service men in Cyprus on this point and that they regard the existing rate as rather high?
§ Mr. RipponIt may be that the Service men were attracted by the suggestion which was put forward at one stage in the newspapers. It was not the subject of an application made to my right hon. Friend, and I think it was probably a little optimistic.