Airline Pilots (Dispute)

HC Deb 18 December 1967 vol 756 cc904-6

24. Captain Orr

asked the Minister of Labour whether he will make a further Statement on the dispute between the British Airline Pilots Association and the Airline Corporations.

Mr. Hattersley

I would refer the hon. Member to the Reply given to the hon. Member for Oswestry (Mr. Biffen) on 11th December, 1967. My right hon. Friend has now appointed the Court of Inquiry under the chairmanship of Lord Pearson.—[Vol. 756, c. 11–12.]

Captain Orr

May I ask the Minister two questions arising out of that? First, as a matter of clarification of the terms of reference of the Court of Inquiry, to inquire into the causes and circumstances of the dispute, could the Minister say what dispute? Is this dispute between B.O.A.C. and the Association, or does it cover B.E.A. pilots as well? Is he aware that, pending the report of this inquiry, there are no talks on any subject whatever between the Corporations and their pilots, and that the matter is one of very great urgency indeed? Would he press this upon his right hon. Friend?

Mr. Hattersley

My right hon. Friend accepts the urgency. I hope that the hon. Gentleman will be comforted to know that we understand that the outcome of the inquiry is likely to apply to B.E.A. as well as to B.O.A.C. As for talks between the parties during the time that the inquiry is being carried on, an undertaking has been given that, at least while the inquiry is taking place, there will be no industrial action by either side.

Mr. Rankin

To try to avoid these disputes in the future, will my hon. Friend encourage top-level management in B.O.A.C. to take a closer interest in the Problems of the pilots than hitherto and not leave everything in that direction in the hands of second line executives?

Mr. Hattersley

Whatever encouragement is given to the Corporations, either by my right hon. Friend or by the President of the Board of Trade, had better await the outcome of the inquiry.

Sir A. V. Harvey

To ensure good working arrangements in future, would not the hon. Gentleman suggest to the President of the Board of Trade that if the Corporations were to appoint senior captains as members of their boards who could keep in dose touch with aircrew problems much of the troubles could be overcome?

Mr. Hattersley

Again, I would not like to endorse or accept suggestions before the inquiry is over.