§ 20. Mr. Leslie Huckfieldasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about 22 his policy on the rules governing charter flights by affinity and inclusive tour groups.
§ Mr. Anthony GrantAny changes in the rules must take account of the different interests of holiday and business travellers, of the concern of British airlines to get a fair share of the traffic, and of the need to keep in line with other countries.
§ Mr. HuckfieldI thank the Minister for that reply. Is he aware that one no longer has to go through the pretence of attending six boring meetings of the Trowbridge and District Cage Bird Society or the Toronto Handshake Club, because one can can buy charter flight tickets over the counter? Will he not, therefore, agree to scrap all these stupid rules and regulations, or at least accede to the proposals being put forward by the American Civil Aeronautics Board whereby any group of people can buy a charter?
§ Mr. GrantI quite agree with the hon. Gentleman that the present rules for affinity group charter flights are in many ways unsatisfactory, and I should certainly like to see something much better. The Civil Aeronautics Board has made very important and interesting proposals, and we are examining them urgently.
§ Mr. Kenneth LewisWhen my hon. Friend considers this matter will he be careful not to abolish these rules because, in so far as they apply to affinity groups, they are of assistance to aviation generally? Is my hon. Friend aware that there is in London a club called the Rutland Cricket Club which has a full fictitious fixture list, in the middle of which there are flights to Nairobi and other places? As far as I can judge, it is not necessary to be able to play cricket to secure an advantage ticket by booking with this organisation. There are too many such organisations which are selling tickets openly on the public market.
§ Mr. GrantI am fascinated to learn what goes on in the cricketing world in London. I am sure that this state of affairs could be improved if my hon. Friend got himself elected non-playing captain. I understand the need to take a balanced approach to this subject. We must recognise the need to preserve the interests of the airlines and the interests of passengers who want scheduled flights 23 as well as those who want chartered flights. This is why we are not rushing into the matter but are examining very carefully the proposals to which the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Leslie Huckfield) referred to see whether this unsatisfactory state of affairs can be improved.
§ Mr. MasonHaving examined what the United States Civil Aeronautics Board has done, could not the Minister be more specific and tell the House what he has in mind?