HL Deb 29 April 1970 vol 309 c1039
THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government how soon they anticipate being able to introduce the long-awaited Civil Aviation Bill.]

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, as my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade said in another place on March 18, the legislation to implement the proposals set out by the Government in their White Paper is complex. A Bill will be introduced as soon as possible but I cannot give a precise date.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for that reply. Can he say whether the setting up of the Civil Aviation Authority will be included in the Bill?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I under-stand that it is the intention to see that that aspect of the Report is dealt with first, and certainly to include it in the Bill-

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that the continued delay and uncertainty in the publication of this Bill is seriously affecting the long-term plans of the independent airlines and, for that matter, of the State Corporations?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, I have some sympathy with what the noble Earl says, but, as with many other matters, once you get down to drafting the terms of the Bill this is rather more complicated than it appears.

EARL JELLICOE

My Lords, bearing in mind the sympathy that the noble Lord has just expressed to my noble friend, can he be a little more explicit? Is it the Government's intention to introduce this Bill before the next General Election?

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, the wording I used was, "as soon as possible."