HC Deb 19 July 1967 vol 750 cc2123-4
20. Mr. Marten

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he is satisfied with the licensing policy administered by the Air Transport Licensing Board; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Jay

I am satisfied that the A.T.L.B. carry out their responsibilities in such a manner as to further the development of British civil aviation", according to Section 1(1) of the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act, 1960. As I told the right hon. Member for Mitcham (Mr. R. Carr) on 15th March, I do not exclude the possibility of change in the light of study and experience.—[Vol. 743, cc. 494–5.]

Mr. Marten

Is the right hon. Gentleman really satisfied that the Licensing Board is right to grant licences to firms which admit that they have insufficient capital resources, as happened in a recent case?

Mr. Jay

We are trying to carry out legislation passed by the previous Government and, as I said, I am not satisfied that this legislation is for the best of all possible worlds, but, as the moment, I am satisfied that the Air Traffic Licensing Board is fulfilling its functions according to its present statutory duties.

Mr. E. Rowlands

Will my right hon. Friend set up an inquiry into the collapse of the Treffield Airline Company, which anyone could have seen was financially unstable at the start and which quickly proved so? Would he not recognise that many fine and reputable travel agencies were seriously affected by this collapse?

Mr. Jay

That is another question; I will certainly look at it.