§ 36. Mr. Chetwyndasked the Minister of Aviation what action he proposes to take on air-freight rates following the failure of the recent International Air Transport Association cargo conference in Paris to reach a common policy.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftThe failure to reach agreement affects the transatlantic services only. I welcome the obvious desire of the airlines to cut freight rates. I am keeping in touch with the United Kingdom airlines concerned and will consider what action if any I should take in the light of the situation as it develops.
§ Mr. ChetwyndHas not the Minister yet had an approach from B.O.A.C. to allow it to go ahead with fixing its own freight rates? In view of the potential of this traffic, will he reach a speedy conclusion on this matter?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI have received the Corporation's proposals. I shall certainly consider them sympathetically.