HL Deb 17 May 1972 vol 330 c1375

2.40 p.m.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

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 what reasons decided them to request B.O.A.C. to withdraw their Sunday round trip excursions in their 747 aircraft.

THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)

My Lords, I understand that the reason why B.O.A.C. decided to discontinue these round trip excursions was because the aircraft to be used for that purpose were imported into the United Kingdom free of duty on condition that they would be used only for international air services.

THE EARL OF KINNOULL

My Lords, while thanking my noble friend for that reply, may I ask him whether he is aware of the great pleasure these excursions have given to many families who may not otherwise have had the opportunity of flying in the 747 aircraft? Would my noble friend welcome such excursions as could be organised outside the import duties being continued?

LORD DRUMALBYN

My Lords, I am not quite certain what the second part of my noble friend's supplementary question implies. The decision whether to continue or discontinue the excursions lies with B.O.A.C, and I have no doubt that if B.O.A.C. decided to apply for a waiver their application would receive due consideration. But I must add that these trips have been criticised on the ground that they add to the noise, and that earlier on my right honourable friend the Minister of Trade asked; B.O.A.C. to restrict the number of flights this year to the number to which they were already committed.