§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy 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 are in a position to make a Statement on the introduction of cheaper air fares in Europe and if, in the meantime, they will lend full support to B.E.A. in the latter's endeavour to obtain individual excursion rates in Europe for those passengers not belonging to affinity groups and not wishing to join charter tours.]
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORT-FOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)My Lords, the airlines have not yet reached agreement on European fares. We understand that most of the fares have been provisionally agreed, and the outstanding difficulties relate to the routes between the United Kingdom and France, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. Discussions between the airlines directly concerned are being arranged to attempt to resolve the remaining problems. In the meantime, we will certainly support endeavours to introduce lower fares which airlines 266 judge to be compatible with profitable operations
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that information, and realising that neither the Government nor B.E.A. are responsible for this delay, may I ask the Minister whether this is not the first time that a serious attempt has been made by which ordinary travellers not belonging to an affinity or charter group may travel in scheduled flights at individual excursion rates, and also whether the Government will continue to give all the support they can on this matter?
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, I cannot say whether this is the first time that such an attempt has been made. I can merely repeat that we shall support B.E.A. in trying to get lower fares, provided it is compatible with their financial solvency
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, may I ask one further question? If and when these individual excursion rates are agreed, and should an advance booking period be included in that agreement, will the Government and B.E.A. take steps to shorten that period, if necessary, so that any such fares may come into operation from April 1 this year, which is the usual agreed date for summer fares?
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, I do not think the noble Baroness need have any anxieties as yet about that matter. There is some time for manæuvre. The arrangements for European fares are of course, different from those for the North Atlantic, and less time is required to introduce them because the United States is not involved
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I should like to say "Thank you" once again
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, could my noble friend say whether, for the purpose of this exercise, Malta and Cyprus count as part of Europe?
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, I should like notice of that question. I think the answer is, "Yes"
LORD HAWKEMy Lords, if so, would the Minister kindly see that these rates are brought in well before April 1?
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, as I have explained to your Lordships on several occasions, it is not unknown for fares to be brought into operation, in the sense that they are advertised, subject always to their being ratified later.