§ EARL AMHERSTMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government what progress has been made in drafting legislation implementing the recommendations of the Edwards Committee on Civil Aviation.]
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, as the noble Lord will appreciate, a great deal of work has to be done in preparing the legislation to implement the proposals in the Government's White Paper on Civil Aviation Policy. Substantial progress has been made with a view to a Bill being introduced when Parliamentary time permits.
§ EARL AMHERSTMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Reply, may I ask whether this House will have an opportunity of debating the White Paper on the Edwards Committee Report, issued, I think, last November, which outlined the Government's thinking on the matter? Will that opportunity arise before the House is confronted with the Bill itself? If so, can we be given a date?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, before the White Paper came out the problems were debated on the Motion of the noble Lord, Lord Balfour. We had an interesting debate and I think that most people were able to say what in their view ought to be done; but if there is a demand for a further debate, then certainly, in another capacity, I shall be glad to have a look at it.
§ EARL AMHERSTMy Lords, would the noble Lord agree that there is considerable interest in the Edwards Committee, not only in this House and the other place but also in the country generally? Would he not agree that a debate on the White Paper is now desirable?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I agree with the noble Lord that there is interest. There has been continuous debate outside in various organisations and in certain journals; and if there is a demand from all parts of the House for a debate we will consider it.
§ LORD BALFOUR OF INCHRYEMy Lords, in referring to the debate that I initiated a long time ago the Minister said that everybody could have expressed his view. May I ask whether the Government have taken account of the views so expressed?
§ LORD BESWICKYes, my Lords. The Edwards Report itself took into account the views that were expressed. I should have thought that the Government White Paper was a reason able and undogmatic statement of policy which, while not wholeheartedly supported by any side of the House, embraced a wide measure of agreement.