§ 17. Sir G. Nabarroasked the President of the Board of Trade what arrangements have now been made for British European Airways and Independent Airlines to take over routes formerly operated by Transglobe and British Eagle, now withdrawn from service; and whether he will make a statement concerning future policy for the operation of independent airlines.
§ Mr. William RodgersExemptions were granted last November to enable certain of British Eagle's domestic routes to be served pending decisions by the Air Transport Licensing Board on the applications now before them. Transglobe did not operate scheduled services. Future policy must await the Edwards report.
§ Sir G. NabarroNotwithstanding the unfortunate occurrence with these two independent airlines, will the hon. Gentleman assure the House that he does not propose that his policies in future will be soured by this occurrence and that there will be no bias against the development of independent aviation?
§ Mr. RodgersThey certainly will not be soured. There is no bias. We shall make our decisions as rapidly as possible after we have received the Edwards report.
§ Mr. FortescueWhat is the latest date by which the Government expect to receive the report of the Edwards Committee, and how soon after its receipt will it be published?
§ Mr. RodgersWe still expect to have it by the end of March and we shall publish it as soon as possible after that date.