§ 5. Mr. JamiesonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what discussions he has had with British Airways regarding the slots into Heathrow from Plymouth. [8781]
§ Sir George YoungI have recently written to the chief executive of British Airways to pass on local concerns about the future of the Brymon Airways service between Heathrow, Plymouth and Newquay.
§ Mr. JamiesonIs the Secretary of State aware that, if the merger between British Airways and American Airlines goes ahead, the President of the Board of Trade could make British Airways give up a substantial number of slots in and out of Heathrow, which in turn could seriously affect flights from Plymouth and Newquay to Heathrow? Is he further aware that the Minister for Local Government, Housing and Urban Regeneration has also said that those air links are vital to investment in the south-west? When will the Government do some joined-up thinking on the question? May I suggest that the Secretary of State's Department make a start by ring-fencing the slots to protect the flights to and from Heathrow and the south-west, which would in turn protect jobs and investment in west Devon and Cornwall?
§ Sir George YoungAs the hon. Gentleman said, my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade is holding consultations on proposals concerning the alliance between British Airways and American Airlines, and I do not propose to make any comment on those consultations, which are fairly and clearly a matter for him.
I recently received a deputation led by my hon. Friend the Member for Falmouth and Camborne (Mr. Coe), who made clear the importance of the service. As I understand it, Brymon Airways considers the service to be profitable. The latest figures that I have seen show that custom is increasing. The service is well used, and there are no plans to vary it.
§ Mr. HarrisDoes my right hon. Friend appreciate the importance of this service to the economy of Cornwall and of Plymouth and west Devon? Today, still more job losses in Cornwall have been announced at English China Clays. Will my right hon. Friend receive a delegation of both Government and Opposition Members from the south-west to discuss this important issue and the absolute need to safeguard this facility for the south-west?
§ Sir George YoungMy hon. Friend extends an invitation that I find difficult to decline. Although I have recently received a deputation of south-west Members, in view of the strength of feeling on the matter, if my hon. Friend contacts my private office to arrange a meeting I shall be pleased to see him.
§ Mr. MackinlayDoes the Secretary of State not understand that one reason why British Airways' American tie-up should be referred to the Monopolies and Mergers Commission is the threat that it poses to consumer interests? This matter affects consumer interests in the south-west. Is not my hon. Friend the Member for Plymouth, Devonport (Mr. Jamieson) correct to demand the matter's referral? Is it not bad form that the 7 Government are discussing BA bailing them out with millennium money at the same time as this matter is before the Government? It should be demonstrably clear that nothing will impede a fair and appropriate consideration of the need for referral, uncluttered by the nice offers made by British Airways in respect of the wider United Kingdom interest.
§ Sir George YoungThe hon. Gentleman makes a powerful point, but he has made it at the wrong Question Time. Referral rests not with my Department but with that of my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade.