§ 27. Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Aviation whether he will give a general direction, in the public interest, to British European Airways to take into account, in planning the timing and frequency of the civil air services between Scotland and England, the proposals in the Beeching Report.
§ Mr. J. AmeryI do not doubt that British European Airways will take full account of any changes in the railway services in determining its own timetables and frequencies. I accordingly see no cause, at this stage, for any general direction.
§ Mr. HughesDoes the right hon. Gentleman realise that that part of the Beeching Report which is designed to isolate the north of Scotland conflicts with the policy of the President of the Board of Trade and the Secretary of State for Scotland, whose professed policy is to stimulate and develop trade, industry, commerce and employment in these parts? Will the right hon. Gentleman therefore consult those Ministers with a view to having some kind of coordinated policy for the north of Scotland?
§ Mr. AmeryI have done more than that, and I hope that it will command the hon. and learned Gentleman's agreement. I arranged the other day for my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to make a special tour of the airports in Scotland, including those in the Highlands and Islands, to see what more we could do to assist economic development in that part of the country.