§ 17. Mr. Shepherdasked the Minister of Aviation the average cost and the average revenue per mile to British European Airways on domestic and European routes, respectively.
§ Mr. StonehouseThe following are the provisional figures for the year ended 31st March, 1965. On the domestic routes, the average costs per seat-mile were 3.82 pence, and the average revenue 3.54 pence; on the international routes they were 3.54 and 3.76 pence, respectively.
§ Sir Knox CunninghamIs the Minister aware that the London—Belfast route is a profitable one and that during the summer and autumn it is difficult to get places on the aircraft? Will he take steps to see that this situation is improved?
§ Mr. StonehouseI will certainly draw the hon. Member's observations to the attention of B.E.A.
§ Mr. SnowIs it fair to assume that either in my hon. Friend's Department or in the B.E.A. organisation there is statistical control to compare these figures with those of other international airlines? If I put down a Question, will my hon. Friend be able to give a comparison?
§ Mr. StonehouseComparisons which we have made show that B.E.A's performance is extremely good. We think that the Corporation is just as efficient in its domestic routes as in its international routes.