§ 6. Mr. James Davidsonasked the Minister of Aviation what application he has received from British European Airways Corporation for assisting in establishing a direct airline service between Dyce Airport, Aberdeen, and Norway, to link with existing domestic flights.
§ Mr. DavidsonIs the Minister aware that a direct service between Dyce and Stavanger would shorten the journey for everyone with a Scandinavian destination leaving from north of Birmingham, and that, unless B.E.A. does something about it, another concern will step in and start a service, as, for example, Faroes Airways already has between Kirkwall and Stavanger?
§ Mr. SnowThese cases are, of course, within the commercial responsibility of any interested operator, subject to licensing.
§ Mr. Hector HughesDoes my hon. Friend realise that the Norwegians have shown very high appreciation of the value of links of this kind between Norway and Aberdeen at least, and will he, if necessary, take steps to encourage such links?
§ Mr. SnowWe must leave it to the operators to use their commercial judgment in these matters. I appreciate that anyone would want to go to Aberdeen.
§ Mr. BrewisIs it not terribly important that a country of the size of Scotland should have much better air links with the Continent, and what is the Minister doing about it?
§ Mr. SnowThere appears to be no obvious or immediate case on economic grounds, and my right hon. Friend has no power to subsidise uneconomic services.