HL Deb 04 March 1971 vol 315 cc1485-7
BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My 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 whether they have approved or intend to approve package tour holidays by air on day-time scheduled flights in 1971 apart from winter months; and whether they will give details of the extent of this approval, or under what regulations such approval is given.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)

My Lords, I assume that the noble Baroness is referring to the wholesale arrangements for the disposal of seats on scheduled service flights to inclusive tour operators. I have no reason to expect that the Secretary of State will not approve, in the context of our air services agreements with the other countries concerned, the proposals of the International Air Transport Association regarding the carriage of inclusive tour passengers on scheduled service flights next summer, whether by day or by night, as he has done in previous years. Under Section 2(5) of the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act, the Secretary of State has confirmed a standard tariff provision known as Provision I by virtue of which any tariff that he approves becomes binding upon any British airline whose licences contain that provision.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, not having the privilege accorded to the right reverend Prelate, I was not aware of that Answer. May I ask the Minister whether I am correct in assuming from it that, as from April 1, on daytime scheduled flights to Spain and Portugal, with the exception of Madrid, seats are to be available to tour operators to the extent of 50 per cent, capacity? Secondly, in addition to that, are the B.E.A. "Drivabout" holidays available now on scheduled daytime flights? Finally, may I ask the Minister whether the Government approve of this decreasing by 50 per cent. of the capacity available to the standard fare traveller in the summertime on daytime scheduled flights?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, the noble Baroness will have deduced from my Answer that the Secretary of State has not yet given his permission, and therefore I deduce from that that the flights are not yet available in use. Although I did not tell the noble Baroness the Answer to the Question, I have written to her extensively in a long letter about this operation in general, following upon the Unstarred Question that she raised in the House. I have no information that is at variance with that letter to give her to-day. I cannot, therefore, confirm the figure of 50 per cent.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, I do not know whether there has been a misunderstanding, but am I correct in gathering that at a Press Conference recently the statement was made about these flights from April 1 to Spain and Portugal with the exception of Madrid, which would be available to tour flight operators? If I am correct in that, is not the seat capacity limited to 50 per cent.?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I should like notice of that particular question. I am afraid I do not know the answer to it. If I may, I will write to the noble Baroness and give her the answer.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, I am sorry to keep on with this matter. The previous letter has taken a fortnight to arrive, and it has not come through the postal service. Am I not correct in assuming that at a public conference which was addressed by the chairman of the Air Transport Licensing Board, these facts were announced? Indeed, this was announced on radio, because I heard it myself. Can the Minister confirm that?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I cannot confirm what the noble Baroness heard. Certainly I will take her word for it.