§ 2. Mr. Fortescueasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will, in the public interest, direct the Air Transport Licensing Board that, when granting air service licences, it shall specify in each case a minimum frequency of service and the introduction of service by a given date, failing either of which the licence shall be transferred to another applicant.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Douglas Jay)No, Sir. I have no powers to issue such a direction, even if it were justifiable.
§ Mr. FortescueIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that this is the practice in the United States, where the Civil Aeronautics Board has this kind of control over airlines? Does he agree that, if this power were taken, or the regulations were amended to make it possible, the operation of our domestic air routes would be far more efficient?
§ Mr. JayIt may be the practice in the United States, but we are operating here under legislation passed by a Government supported by the party opposite.