§ 10. Mr. Fortescueasked the President of the Board of Trade what action he has taken in the past 12 months to stimulate the development of air links between regional centres.
§ 15. Mr. Onslowasked the President of the Board of Trade what steps he has taken in the past 12 months to stimulate the development of British civil aviation.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuThe initiative in developing air services of all sorts rests with the operators; I am looking to the Edwards Committee for advice both on how the industry may develop in future to the national advantage and on what changes may be desirable to that end.
§ Mr. FortescueIs the hon. Gentleman aware that the Governments of France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Holland, Belgium. Norway, Sweden and many others, have now decided to encourage regional development by subsidising their domestic airlines? Will he consider following their example in order eventually to save on other methods of regional subsidisation?
§ Mr. MallalieuAs the hon. Gentleman probably knows, I have no power to subsidise such services at present; and, according to my present thinking, I do not think that it would be desirable.
§ Mr. OnslowIs it not a fact that much of the British airline industry is in a state of crisis? Does he appreciate that it is more important that he should take decisions and give operators an assurance of stability than to hide behind a smokescreen of committees?
§ Mr. MallalieuI am not hiding behind a smokescreen of committees. There has not been an investigation into the civil aviation industry for many years. We are doing that now and we want to get the decisions right.
§ Mr. Ednyfed Hudson DaviesIs the Minister aware of the difference that adequate air communications can make to the attractiveness of North Wales? Is he aware that air communications with the 399 main industrial centres is an important aspect in industrial development? Will his right hon. Friend bear this in mind?
§ Mr. MallalieuYes, most certainly.