HC Deb 19 July 1982 vol 28 cc12-3
10. Mr. Dubs

asked the Minister for Trade if the Civil Aviation Authority has provided him with any assessment of the conclusions to be drawn about the collapse of Laker Airways.

Mr. Sproat

The events leading up to the collapse of Laker Airways are well known. They have been discussed in this House as well as in the media. I see no reason to call for any assessment by the authority.

Mr. Dubs

Is it not up to the Minister to make sure that the British public have better information about what actually happened? Is it not the responsibility of the authority to provide such an assessment to the Minister?

Mr. Sproat

No, Sir.

Mr. McCrindle

Will my hon. Friend join me in welcoming the offers by certain insurance companies to cover intending passengers in the event of airlines going out of business before they can utilise their tickets? Having, I hope, welcomed that development, does he agree that it will probably be easier to obtain cover when there is no likelihood of a company going out of business than otherwise? Will he therefore consider as an alternative the possibility of a surcharge on all scheduled airline tickets with a view to building up—

Mr. Speaker

Order. In view of that long supplementary question, perhaps the hon. Gentleman, who I had not noticed has the next question on the Order Paper, will forgo his supplementary on the next question.

Mr. Sproat

I am not attracted by the idea of a surcharge on airline tickets. Many people already think that tickets are too expensive. However, I certainly join my hon. Friend in the welcome that he gave in the first part of his supplementary question.

Mr. John Smith

Will the Minister reflect on the appalling complacency of the answer that he gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Battersea, South (Mr. Dubs)? Does he agree that it is now becoming apparent from the events which immediately preceded the collapse of Laker Airways that for a substantial time Laker Airways was allowed to fly and to sell tickets to the public in circumstances which, under existing legislation, was wrong? Is it not important to establish whether that appalling lack of supervision was caused by the CAA or by the Minister? Is it not time for us to know where the responsibility lies?

Mr. Sproat

As usual, the right hon. Gentleman has got it all wrong. The Civil Aviation Authority acted exactly as it should have done. It monitored the affairs of Laker Airways. As long as the banks felt that there was a chance of patching things together to the benefit of the airline and the passengers, it was the duty of the CAA to continue as it did. I have no criticism whatever to make of the CAA in this matter.

Mr. Colvin

What is my hon. Friend's estimate of the cost to the British Government, and, therefore, to the taxpayer, of the Laker collapse?

Mr. Sproat

I have made no such estimate. However, I should point out that the money that was owed by Laker Airways was owed by Laker Airways, not by a nationalised industry such as British Airways.