§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they will now publish Professor Wood's report concerned with the recent B.O.A.C. pilots' dispute.]
§ THE MINISTER OF STATE, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD BROWN)My Lords, Professor Wood reported to the First Secretary on March 28 on the breakdown of the negotiations between B.O.A.C. and the British Air Line Pilots' Association in which he had acted as independent chairman. His report contained comments on the position of the parties, and in the circumstances publication would be inappropriate.
§ THE EARL OF KINNOULLMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask whether he could explain to us why the Department for Economic Affairs has not yet con 2 firmed the agreement bet0ween B.A.L.P.A. and B.O.A.C.; and, further, whether he is aware that there are a number of minor further adjustments to be made following this confirmation?
§ LORD BROWNMy Lords, that is, of course, a separate matter, but I am able to say that the Government regard a decision on this matter as one of great urgency, and the decision should not be long delayed.