HL Deb 16 October 1945 vol 137 cc317-8

5.23 p.m.

LORD MARLEY

My Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name.

[The question was as follows:

To ask His Majesty's Government, whether, following the cessation of hostilities, steps have been taken to ensure that fullest attention is given to the claims of representatives of commercial and industrial interests for priority in air travel.]

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for giving me an opportunity to make a statement on this subject. The allocation of space on air transport services is the responsibility of the Air Priorities Board, which was established in 1942 under the chairmanship of the Under-Secretary of State for Air, on the recommendation of the Lord President of the Council. The Board has recognized that, with the end of hostilities, all forms of air travel subserving the national interest, including those mentioned by the noble Lord, must be taken into account in granting priorities. The question has also been engaging my attention, and I have agreed with the Secretary of State for Air, with the approval of the Lord President of the Council, that my honourable friend the Parliamentary Secretary shall act as a Joint Chairman of the Board. A representative of the Board of Trade and the Department of Overseas Trade has recently replaced the war-time representative of the War Supply Departments, and I am considering, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Air, whether any further measures can usefully be taken to ensure that a proper balance is maintained in dealing with competing claims for air passages and accommodation.

LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYE

My Lords, arising out of that reply, could not the Minister consider giving at any rate some proportion of the space to unsponsored commercial passengers? At the present time, as he knows, every commercial passenger has to obtain the approval of a Government Department, and some have worthy causes but cannot get that approval.

LORD WINSTER

My Lords, I am quite sure that that matter will now come under the attention of the Air Priorities Board.