HC Deb 25 February 1964 vol 690 c211
4. Mr. K. Lewis

asked the Secretary for Technical Co-operation whether he will discuss with the British Overseas Airways Corporation and British European Airways the possibilities of increasing the number of off-peak period air tickets at substantially reduced prices for young men and women who offer themselves for voluntary service overseas.

Mr. Carr

My hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Aviation said on 5th February that he would draw the attention of the Corporations to these matters and I shall follow up his action.

Mr. Lewis

I thank my right hon. Friend for his reply. Will it be borne in mind that on many routes B.O.A.C. planes are losing money and, as such, are really flag-carriers? Does not it seem reasonable that they should fill their payloads with people who want to give voluntary service overseas? Is he aware that this service would cost the Corporation and the Government nothing?

Mr. Carr

As I have said, I will follow this up. The Government have no power of direction over the Corporation in this matter, but in fairness to the Corporations we ought not to under estimate the difficulties they have in connection with international agreements.

Mr. H. Hynd

Will the Minister extend that request to the private air companies and, if the Corporation should accede to this request and make a deficit in so doing, will the hon. Member for Rutland and Stamford (Mr. K. Lewis) refrain from pointing to that as proof of the failure of nationalisation?

Mr. Carr

I cannot answer for my hon. Friend. I can say "Yes" to the other point.