Concorde

HC Deb 09 February 1976 vol 905 cc12-4

8. Mr. Michael McNair-Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement about negotiations to enable Concorde services to be extended to routes other than London—Bahrain.

15. Mr. Stonehouse

asked the Secretary of State for Trade what success he has achieved in securing overflying and landing rights for Concorde.

27. Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will make a statement on the latest negotiations concerning Concorde for which his Department is responsible.

Mr. Shore

I made a statement to the House on 5th February on Mr. Secretary Coleman's decision to allow British Airways to operate scheduled services to New York and Washington for a trial period of 16 months. Discussions are continuing with other countries on the proposed services to Melbourne and Tokyo, and further statements will be made at the appropriate times.

Mr. McNair-Wilson

Will the right hon. Gentleman say how negotiations for overflying rights are going with India? Will he hazard a guess on the question which will be the next Concorde service?

Mr. Shore

I would rather not hazard a guess at the present time. We are having continuing discussions with the Indian Government. As I said earlier, when I reach a point at which I believe I can make a statement I shall do so.

Mr. Stonehouse

Has the Secretary of State started negotiations with the Soviet Union concerning overflying rights? Will he say whether any discussions have been started with regard to the TU144s flying into Heathrow?

Mr. Shore

We and the French are in discussion with the Soviet Union about a supersonic corridor and a refuelling stop inside their area. I am not aware of any application by the Soviet airline to fly into Heathrow.

Mr. Adley

Will the right hon. Gentleman tell any other Governments who may seek to use Concorde as an excuse to involve themselves in unrelated issues in discussion with Her Majesty's Government that such tactics are counterproductive, particularly if they seek to stifle criticism of current events in any of those countries?

Mr. Shore

The hon. Gentleman clearly has some serious matter on his mind which he has not felt it proper to reveal to the House. However, I take note of what he said, and if he wants a private word with me I shall be available.

Mr. Whitehead

Bearing in mind that landing rights at Kennedy Airport, New York, are quite crucial to the commercial success of Concorde, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether the Government have had discussions with the state or city authorities of New York about the possibility of Concorde landing hold-ups from those quarters?

Mr. Shore

The Government have not had discussions with those authorities, but Air France and British Airways made immediate applications to the controlling authorities of both Dulles and Kennedy Airports.

Mr. McCrindle

Is it correct to say that some consideration has been given to flying Concorde to Johannesburg? If I am correct in suggesting that a difficulty in that regard is the overflying of Nigeria, will the right hon. Gentleman say whether discussions are proceeding with that Government with a view to solving the problem?

Mr. Shore

We have to face questions of routes one at a time. It is true that within the reserve list of routes there is one to Johannesburg, but we are pressing ahead, as is only sensible, with the priority routes. After all, we have been making some progress recently.

Mr. Cryer

Will my right hon. Friend accept from me that there is no great enthusiasm for the extension of this illogical plane? Will he say how it fits in with the Government's policy of saving energy, when it is one of the most thirsty planes to be developed? Will my right hon. Friend make it clear that he will resist any further absurd attempt to produce a stretched version, thereby pouring more public money into the biggest white elephant that the taxpayer has yet seen?

Mr. Shore

s: My hon. Friend has a point of view to which he is entitled, and which he has already expressed vigorously in the House. Any decision about the development of a stretched version is a matter for my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Industry. All I can say beyond that is that while I note my hon. Friend's lack of enthusiasm I, personally, feel somewhat differently, especially as we have gained a favourable judgment from Secretary Coleman.