HC Deb 23 June 1965 vol 714 c1747
26. Mr. Fisher

asked the Minister of Aviation whether he will direct British European Airways, in the public interest, to discontinue its extra flights which support Spanish tourism at the expense of Gibraltar.

Mr. Stonehouse

My right hon. Friend has no power to give such a direction. Restrictions on British European Airway's services would in any case be ineffectual since they would merely result in the transfer of business to other airlines without any likelihood of increased traffic to Gibralter. However, it remains the case that it is cheaper to fly to Gibraltar than to nearby airports in Spain.

Mr. Fisher

Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that while Foreign and Colonial Office Ministers have for months been paying lip-service to the idea of giving help to Gibraltar in the face of the severe Spanish frontier restrictions, B.E.A.s policy is the opposite, and that by stepping up the number of aeroplanes flying to Malaga and reducing the number of aeroplanes flying to Gibraltar it is carrying out a policy which is detrimental to Gibraltar and helpful to Spanish tourism? Why cannot the hon. Gentleman intervene to put this right and implement the policy of his colleagues?

Mr. Stonehouse

I cannot agree with the hon. Gentleman's observations on the activities of B.E.A. during the last few months. In fact, B.E.A. continues to operate 11 flights a week to Gibraltar and these flights have not been affected by extra flights to Spain. Furthermore, B.E.A. has been making special endeavours to arrange holidays in Morocco and Tangiers which can be combined with flights to Gibraltar to help Gibraltar in these times.

Mr. Marten

Is not this perhaps the sort of thing which the consumer director who was to be appointed to B.E.A. might have dealt with? What has happened to this consumer director?

Mr. Stonehouse

He will eventually be appointed, but there is no place to appoint him to yet.