§ 13. Mr. Darlingasked the Minister of Aviation if he will exercise his powers under Section 3 (5) of the Air Corporations Act, 1949, to prohibit, in the public interest, the relaying by the British Overseas Airways Corporation of radio music and commercial advertisements to passengers in British Overseas Airways Corporation's aeroplanes.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftNo, Sir.
§ Mr. DarlingWould the right hon. Gentleman like to travel in an aircraft with the radio turning out canned music to the passengers? If he is on the side of the majority of passengers, as I think, who do not want such music to be inflicted on them, will he bear in mind that it is quite likely that if B.O.A.C. goes ahead with this project it will lose passengers to other airlines? In view of that, will he exercise his powers to stop it, in the public interest?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI have some sympathy with the hon. Gentleman's view, but if it has that effect the music will very quickly stop.
§ Mr. DugdaleIs the music to be received by personal instruments or to be broadcast to everybody in the plane regardless of whether they want it?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI understand that a passenger can choose. He will have to plug in to listen.