HC Deb 08 March 1971 vol 813 cc7-8
5. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he intends to publish the Civil Aviation Bill.

Mr. John Davies

My aim is to introduce the Bill as soon as possible so that both the proposed Civil Aviation Authority and British Airways Board can be operating in 1972.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

Can my right hon. Friend give me any idea when we shall be debating the Bill? Does he envisage a White Paper before the debate?

Mr. Davies

I do not envisage a White Paper before the Bill. I hope that the Bill will be introduced this Session, if at all possible, and if parliamentary business permits—when we shall, of course, have an opportunity fully to debate the matter.

Mr. Mason

To what extent will the right hon. Gentleman depart from the principles which we laid down in our White Paper, especially when we intended to set up the Civil Aviation Authority and the Airways Board, as distinct from the holdings board which the Edwards Committee suggested?

Mr. Davies

The right hon. Gentleman had better await the publication of the Bill. However, we shall, of course, broadly follow the recommendations of the Edwards Committee.