§ 22. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Aviation to what extent it is his policy that British European Airways and British United Airways should come to a private arrangement with regard to certain British airways routes.
§ Mr. ThorneycroftSuch arrangements form no part of the responsibility of the Ministry of Aviation. There are no legal objections to such arrangements. There is equally no obligation on the Air Licensing Board to adopt them.
§ Mr. RankinIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in reports in the Press he has been attached to these negotiations and they have been successful with B.O.A.C.? Is it the case that pressure is being put on B.E.A. in order that the independent operators may get a slice of its existing traffic, and does the Minister say that he is not in any way lending his authority and influence to these proceedings and that they will go de novo to the Licensing Board in due course?
§ Mr. ThorneycroftI have nothing to do with them at all.