§ 8. Mr. Onslowasked the President of the Board of Trade when he now expects to publish the report of the Edwards Committee.
§ 24. Mr. Robert Howarthasked the President of the Board of Trade when he expects to publish the Edwards Committee Report.
§ The President of the Board of Trade (Mr. Anthony Crosland)About the end of April.
§ Mr. OnslowHow soon thereafter will the right hon. Gentleman publish a White Paper? Will it be available before the Bill to extend B.E.A. borrowing powers comes before the House? Second, how long is it likely to be before legislation to implement other recommendations of the Edwards Committee can be brought in?
§ Mr. CroslandI hope to issue a White Paper after reasonable time has elapsed for consultations on the part of the Government and general discussion in the aviation Press and elsewhere. As to the timing of the White Paper, I prefer to leave that at this stage because none of us yet knows how complicated or controversial the recommendations of the Edwards Committee will be. I should prefer not to answer off the cuff about the relationship between the timing of any White Paper and the Bill to which 465 the hon. Gentleman referred. Perhaps I may write to him about it.
§ Mr. Robert HowarthDoes my right hon. Friend realise that if, as we hope, the Committee proposes a positive licensing system, such a system, if adopted, would lead to the encouragement of British air transport not only by the corporations but by independent operators also?
§ Mr. CroslandThat is an interesting reflection, but I should prefer not to comment on what the report might or might not say until it has been produced.