§ 9. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will initiate proceedings against the Discount Air Travel Centre for breach of the charter flights regulations, in view of the evidence supplied by him by the hon. Member for Walthamstow, East.
§ Mr. NobleWe shall decide whether to take legal proceedings when the investigations now going on have been completed.
§ Mr. McNair-WilsonDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that that shop is breaking the I.A.T.A. regulations that prohibit the sale of charter seats to the public direct? Is not that, therefore, flouting the regulations, and is not it one more example of how the regulations are continually being flouted? Is not it time we either gave that sort of freedom to all tour operators or clamped down on that sort of unscrupulous enterprise?
§ Mr. NobleWhile I agree with my hon. Friend that the story he kindly sent 13 me from the Evening Standard produced almost all the kinds of problem to which he would object—and so would I—he must remember that there are laws of this country as well as international regulations which control such affairs. I entirely agree with him that the whole question needs very careful overhaul.
§ Mr. MasonDoes not the right hon. Gentleman remember that the Air Transport Licensing Board drew his attention in its Annual Report to the illegal issue of air tickets for charter flights, and that he said on 2nd July that he was considering how he could deal with such abuses? What action has he taken, or what action does he contemplate taking, on the general question and not just this particular question? What assessment has his Department made of the safety standard of such operations?
§ Mr. NobleI am not sure that I understand the right hon. Gentleman's second point about safety standards. Certainly the A.T.L.B. is looking at these problems, and it keeps me informed of its views. We are considering with our colleagues overseas what better method could be adopted. As to the question of offences, I think that the right hon. Gentleman will remember, because he had a close interest in the matter, that it is not the sale of a ticket that creates the offence but the flight of the aircraft, and if that is then connected with the sale of a ticket it is possible, but not certain, that an offence has taken place.
§ Mr. MasonWill the right hon. Gentleman explain what his Department is doing about surveillance? We hear occasionally about the Department stopping aircraft from flying. What is his aviation department doing about stopping the aircraft concerned from taking off when it knows full well, as is shown by the reply to this Question, that there has been an illegal sale of tickets?
§ Mr. NobleThe right hon. Gentleman is being a little naive for someone who knows exactly what the situation is. The sale of the tickets is not in itself an offence, as I have said. If we are to change the rules, we have to do so in co-operation with a great number of other people internationally. Discussions have been going on steadily over the last few weeks. As I reported to the House on 14 2nd July, we are considering this problem in conjunction with our colleagues.