HL Deb 20 January 1972 vol 327 cc173-5

3.22 p.m.

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 will now make a Statement giving details of the North Atlantic fares structure as agreed by IATA in Geneva on December 12 last, one of which comes into operation from London on January 15, 1972.]

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)

My Lords, the recent changes in international exchange rates made it necessary for IATA to revise the fares adopted on December 12, which are expressed in U.S. dollars. A Conference was held in Geneva from January 6 to 15, but except in respect of the winter group inclusive tour fares (which Governments have approved) the airlines have not yet been able to agree on what consequential changes in fares should he made and submitted to Governments for approval. To take as an example the return trips London-New York and London-Montreal, the winter group inclusive tour fare for 7–8 days is from January 17,200 dollars for New York and 186 dollars for Montreal. I am sending the noble Baroness details of the winter group inclusive tour fares and will lay a copy in the Library.

Baroness BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, is the Minister aware that of course the first part of my Question refers to these actual fares which came into operation on January 15? May I ask the Minister whether he might not have been a little more forthcoming when I asked him a Question on December 16 on this matter? Does he realise that these actual fares—and I am referring to the winter grouping—were advertised in the Press by National Airlines on December 16, by Pan Am on December 17, and by B.O.A.C. on December 19, all stating that they were subject to Government approval? Does not the noble Lord feel that he could have told this House that these were the fares suggested, subject to Government approval, instead of saying nothing at all?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, when I look at what was said I do not think I can be accused of having said nothing at all. What I am now doing is to send the noble Baroness a copy of the fares that have been approved (it is limited, I am sorry to say, to the winter group inclusive tour fares), and laying a copy in the Library, for reasons which the noble Baroness will see when she receives the copy I am sending to her.

Baroness BURTON OF COVENTRY

My Lords, I do not wish to look a gift horse in the mouth, and I am sure that the Library will be grateful, but I have the information. In order to introduce a little variety into our questions and answers, may I ask the noble Lord whether he can tell me when he is likely to have the information for which I have asked in the second part of my Question, so that I might then have a satisfactory reply and be able to my, "Thank you"?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I look forward very much to receiving a "Thank you" from the noble Baroness, but I am afraid that this must depend on getting agreement. The airline which is not in agreement with the other airlines has been given until January 24 to come into line, and I hope that soon after that date it will be possible to reach agreement.