CARRIAGE BY AIR BILL. [H.L.] (Hansard, 7 June 1932)

§ THE EARL OF LUCAN

My Lords, on behalf of the noble Marquess, the Secretary of State for Air, I beg to move the Second Reading of this Bill. The noble Marquess regrets very much that he could not attend in person to-day, but he is prevented by other duties of State from coming and moving the Second Reading. He has asked me to say that the subject of the Bill is one in which he takes a close personal interest and he trusts that the Bill will receive a welcome in your Lordships' House. The Bill is a very short one. It is to set up a uniform international system for the documents and liabilities of air carriers, alike in the case of passengers, luggage and goods. Originally there was a Conference in 1925 which led to the formation of an International Committee which examined into the subject of carriage by air for about two years. The result of that investigation was this particular Convention, which was agreed upon at Warsaw in 1929. The Convention has been signed by some twenty-three European and other Powers. The object of the Bill is really to bring uniformity of law and practice into carriage by air. At present there is uncertainty. A transport undertaking flying, say, between this country and Egypt, must pass over several sovereign States and is liable to be sued for damage in any one under national laws which vary widely. The Convention has arisen out of that need.

The First Schedule to the Bill consists of the Convention. It has been signed by twenty-three countries and now awaits ratification. His Majesty's Government have intimated to the principal Powers that they are prepared to ratify-subject to the passing of this Bill by Parliament. As regards the Dominions the Governments of Australia and New Zealand and the Government of India have decided to ratify or accede to the Convention, and I understand that the Irish Free State also proposes to do so. It is understood that other countries which have not yet ratified are prepared to do so at no very distant date. I may add that the representatives of the air transport industry, such as the Imperial Airways and the National Flying Services, have been kept in close 636 touch throughout and the Convention has the unanimous support of all parties concerned. Unless any of your Lordships wish for further explanation I will move that the Bill be now read a second time.