HC Deb 21 February 1983 vol 37 cc652-3
9. Mr. Colvin

asked the Minister for Trade if he has had any recent discussions with his European counterparts on the deregulation of inter-regional air services; and if he will make a statement.

The Under-Secretary of State for Trade (Mr. Iain Sproat)

As I reported to the House in my reply to a question from my hon. Friend the Member for Preston, North (Mr. Atkins) on 23 December, ministerial discussions on the proposed Community directive to liberalise the approval of new inter-regional air services failed to reach agreement for the third time shortly before Christmas. This was a most disappointing outcome, but I still very much hope that when we return to the subject at the next Transport Council on 6 June it will be possible to agree at last on a measure that should benefit both the airlines and their passengers.

Mr. Colvin

I wish my hon. Friend better luck next time. Does he agree that deregulation would not only help Britain's third level airline operators but would also take some of the pressure off London's airports by stimulating the development of regional airports? When he goes back to the conference table, will he ensure that the seat limit for the aircraft covered does not fall below 70 because of the proposal by British Aerospace to introduce its advanced turboprop aircraft which has only 65 seats?

Mr. Sproat

Yes. I shall bear my hon. Friend's last point strongly in mind. This measure should help both regional airports and third level airline operators. It is a determined part of the Government's policy to help the regional airports, as we have done at Manchester and Leeds-Bradford among others.

Mr. McNally

Does the Minister realise that his statement that he now hopes for progress in June following three failures is disgraceful and that it brings the whole process of negotiation into discredit? What new action does he propose to try to get movement? Will he bear in mind that it would be sensible for any agreement to take account not only of airlines and regional policy but of the development of the aerospace industry itself, especially the fact that British Aerospace has the right aircraft for the right routes ready to go into production?

Mr. Sproat

I shall certainly bear in mind the hon. Gentleman's final point, but I cannot accept his sad advice that, because I did not succeed at first, I should give up. We shall go on trying. When we started the process there were only two European countries in favour and eight against. At the latest meeting there were eight in favour and only two against. We shall win in the end.

Mr. Squire

Will my hon. Friend continue the pressure, which I know he is applying as hard as he can, to achieve an agreement, because it would be a concrete example of the advantages of European co-operation?

Mr. Sproat

I am grateful to my hon. Friend for those remarks. He is right. I hope that all our European partners will agree with him in the summer.