HC Deb 10 May 1971 vol 817 cc20-1
28. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the British Overseas Airways Corporation's proposals to form a charter subsidiary.

Mr. Anthony Grant

B.O.A.C. propose to use a subsidiary company in order to enable them to compete in that part of the charter market not open to I.A.T.A. airlines. We are satisfied that they should be enabled to do so.

Mr. Huckfield

I thank the hon. Gentleman for that information. Is not he aware that the cherished darling of the Tory Party, Caledonian-B.U.A., already has a significant advantage in charter capacity which will be further enshrined in the Civil Aviation Bill? What is he prepared to do to ensure that B.O.A.C. gets its fair share of the market?

Mr. Grant

I do not propose to debate the Civil Aviation Bill with the hon. Gentleman at Question Time. The hon. Gentleman's Question asked about the subsidiary. It is designed primarily to enable B.O.A.C. to compete with international overseas competitors.

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