HC Deb 18 February 1963 vol 672 cc21-3
32. Mr. Dempsey

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will seek powers to protect passengers on chartered civil flights who have paid their fares from the failure of airline companies to convey them to their destination.

Mr. Marten

No, Sir. This is a matter of contract between the passenger and the airline or travel agent. But before granting a licence, the Air Transport Licensing Board is required to take account of the fitness of an operator to perform the service for which he has applied.

Mr. Dempsey

Would not the Minister even condemn this iniquitous practice whereby people pay the fare for a flight to New York over a period of nine to twelve months in order to meet relatives they have not seen for a long time and can then he told only a few weeks before the aircraft is due to leave that there is no room for them in the plane and they are discarded? Is not that a practice about which the Government should be concerned, and should not the Ministry of Aviation do something to protect our people against extortion on the part of American companies?

Mr. Marten

I have great sympathy for cases like that, but it is open to any aggrieved passenger to make a representation to the Air Transport Licensing Board under Section 4 of the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act, 1960, and the Board then considers the case and reports to my right hon. Friend. But the hon. Gentleman must bear in mind that a great number of the people going on trips of this sort have a contractual relationship with the organisers of tours or charters and not a contractual relationship with the airlines.

Mr. Dempsey

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that by the time the mechanics have been gone into the flight has gone and returned and these people are still waiting? Cannot we do something to help our own citizens in such a situation? Ought not the Minister to have some authority to ensure that our citizens receive fair play at the hands of these companies in respect of charter flights?

Mr. Marten

I have a great deal of sympathy for these people, but I would also point out that they must take the necessary action themselves.