§ 25. Mr. Warrenasked the Secretary of State for Trade what consultations he has had with British independent airlines in the course of the preparation of his new policy guidelines for civil aviation; and which airlines he has not yet consulted.
§ Mr. ShoreThe review of policy which I have set in hand will require consultations with airlines and they will be given an opportunity to register their views.
§ Mr. WarrenWhat is the urgency of these consultations, bearing in mind that the right hon. Gentleman has made a statement to Mr. John Cousins, national officer of the Transport and General Workers' Union, that urgent reviews of civil aviation are going ahead but many British airlines have not yet been consulted at either management or worker level? Is not this scandalous?
§ Mr. ShoreNot at all. There will be ample opportunity for airlines to make their views known, but clearly it is necessary to press ahead urgently with the review given the general contraction of air traffic this year and the difficulties facing the entire air transport industry.