HC Deb 25 March 1970 vol 798 cc1410-1
11. Mr. Corfield

asked the President of the Board of Trade if he will publish the letters he has sent to British independent airlines referring to licensing restrictions on trans-Atlantic charter flights if they do not voluntarily limit their inclusive-tour flights to a prescribed percentage of incoming scheduled flights; and by what authority he imposes such restrictions in the absence of any appeal from a decision of the Air Transport Licensing Board.

Mr. Goronwy Roberts

The letters did not refer to any United Kingdom restrictions upon United Kingdom airlines. They informed interested British airlines of policies in Europe towards trans-Atlantic inclusive tour charter flights by foreign carriers and mentioned quantitative controls under our Air Navigation Order permits, which do not apply to aircraft registered in the United Kingdom. It would not help British operators to publish letters consulting them regarding foreign competitors and possible dealings with foreign countries.

Mr. Corfield

Am I not right in saying that at least some of the letters enjoined the operators not to put on more charter flights than would be represented by 60 per cent., or some other definite percentage, of the total number of scheduled flights over the North Atlantic?

Mr. Roberts

I do not think that that is quite so. The letters were common form: they were intended to be information for the operators and an indication to them of the guidelines which the European countries generally had in mind and to which we adhere. The hon. Gentleman mentioned a figure of 60 per cent. I should like to look a little more deeply into that. The figure I have in mind is 1 per cent. of scheduled flights in a preceding season.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

Will my right hon. Friend bear in mind that charter operators in the United States, including foreign operators, stand accused of some 70,000 violations of the regulations laid down by the Civil Aeronautics Board? Will he bear in mind that some of the violations have been committed by one of the prominent British independent carriers, Caledonian Airways? Will he make sure that the Air Transport Licensing Board is fully aware of these violations before further decisions are taken?

Mr. Roberts

I am sure that the A.T.L.B. will bear all appropriate considerations in mind.

Mr. Corfield

Will the hon. Gentleman remember that what his hon. Friend has mentioned are accusations, that there has been no hearing and there have been no findings?

Mr. Roberts

The hearings are pending.