HL Deb 09 November 1971 vol 325 cc232-4
BARONESS BURTON OE COVENTRY

My 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 are in a position to make a statement concerning cheaper air fares on the North Atlantic routes; and, if so, how many categories of fare will now be available to would-be passengers.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORT-FOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)

My Lords, at the request of a number of Governments, including Her Majesty's fares to apply on the North Atlantic next year took place from October 26 to 30. No agreement was reached and the meeting was adjourned indefinitely. The situation may, however, be discussed by airline chairmen meeting in Honolulu later this month. For the present, however, the situation remains obscure.

BARONESS BURTON of COVENTRY

I am afraid it usually does, my Lords. But arising out of the adjourned conference at Lausanne, I wonder whether the Minister can enlighten the House on two points. First, is it correct that at that conference the principle of passengers paying three months in advance was rejected; and, secondly, is it true that some airlines wanted the cheaper fares to apply to groups only while others, including B.O.A.C., wanted cheaper individual fares?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I am not in a position to give the noble Baroness the line-up; indeed, I am informed that it would be improper to do so as this was a private meeting. All I can say is that I very much regret that agreement seemed to be no nearer at the last meeting than at the previous meeting.

BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, does the noble Lord feel that the Government could do a little more to dispel this obscurity? And is he aware that many of us seem to have information which is not available to the House through the Minister?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I do not know what we can do to assist. It seems to me that all we can do at the present time is to go on trying to reach agreement, because without agreement we shall be in a situation of open rates. This means that there will be severe international competition, and, I rather suspect, a much more complicated number of fares.

LORD BESWICK

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that many of us agree with my noble friend that this has been a most undignified, if not incompetent, series of meetings? What I am unaware of (and on this I am asking the noble Lord to enlighten us) is whether the Government have had a policy line them-selves, and whether they will be good enough to publish in some way the principle behind the policy which they would like to see adopted?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I should like to consider that point, if I may. I cannot answer at the moment.