HC Deb 24 January 1983 vol 35 cc643-4
1. Mr. Dobson

asked the Minister for Trade when next he plans to meet the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority to discuss the viability of airline operators.

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

I meet the chairman of the authority at intervals to discuss this and other subjects.

Mr. Dobson

When the Minister next meets the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, will he draw to his attention the extreme reservations—indeed, the violent oppostion—expressed by the Association of British Travel Agents to the CAA licensing Freddie Laker Holidays? Will he accept that this concern is expressed by an organisation whose main function is to ensure that holidaymakers are not robbed by various cheapjack outfits and to ensure that such outfits do not start up in future?

Mr. Sproat

I am absolutely certain that Mr. Dent, as chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, is all too well aware of the views of other travel agents and tour operators.

Mr. Robert Atkins

Does my hon. Friend recognise that many small, independent airlines have gone through the recent recession without subsidies, grants or any other assistance and have done very well during that time? What steps will he take to persuade the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority, on a continuing basis, to be more reasonable in the authority's approach to granting licences to these small airlines?

Mr. Sproat

The chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority is, at this very moment, undertaking a review of his organisation. No doubt the extremely important question that my hon. Friend has put today is one that the chairman will be considering very closely.

Mr. Woolmer

If the Minister is anxious to help the viability of British airlines, will he stop trying to make British Airways sell off the profitable parts of its business? Will he look again at this apparent madness of deregulation in the British air industry, which already has excess capacity? Specifically, what is his assessment of the deregulation on the Glasgow route where all the signs are that, yet again, one airline is being helped at the expense of others, with the result that excess capacity is arising and that, sooner or later, more jobs will be lost and the airport industry will be made more insecure?

Mr. Sproat

The answer to the first part of the hon. Gentleman's question is "No, Sir". With regard to the second part, the British Midland route from Glasgow to Heathrow has been extremely successful. I have not met a single passenger, as I visit Scotland rather more than the hon. Gentleman—and who does not think that the Government's decision is extremely wise.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

Does my hon. Friend recall that it is now almost two years since his predecessor said that, in consultation with the CAA, he was hoping to resolve all the problems about the rules for flying balloons? Will my hon. Friend take extraordinary steps, with his real zeal and enthusiasm, to sort out this long-standing problem, the uncertainty over which has put more than 200 Southend jobs at risk?

Mr. Sproat

My hon. Friend raises an extremely important problem. In arguing for a relaxation in the rules governing balloons and, indeed, banners, he is raising a vital matter for many sections of British industry. I can assure him that I and my colleagues in the Department of the Environment are giving urgent consideration to this matter.

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