§ 2.45 p.m.
§ 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 when they expect to receive the report on Heathrow Airport made by the Metra Consulting Group and if this will be published prior to any decisions being made on the recommendations therein.
1815EARL FERRERSMy Lords, the report is expected about the end of the year. As soon as it is available copies will be given to all interested parties at Heathrow, and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses of Parliament.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, in view of that Answer, may I ask the noble Earl whether he recalls that on August 4 last, at column 619 of the OFFICIAL REPORT, he gave the House an assurance that any decision to withdraw the check-in facilities at Gloucester Road would be delayed until after this report was made? I wonder whether, in view of his having given me that statement, he has any further comment to make.
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, I can repeat the assurance that I gave to the noble Baroness later, which was on September 21, in which I said that the closure of the West London Air Terminal would not take place during the course of 1973.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I am coming to that subject next week. But I should like to ask the noble Earl something, because this is serious and I think the noble Earl is an honourable man—
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYI say that in all seriousness. He would not have made such a statement if he had not thought it was correct. Is the noble Earl aware that on October 10 the present Chief Executive of B.E.A., Mr. Ken Wilkinson, made a statement (mentioning only the discussions they had been having with the trade unions, of which this House is aware, and making no mention of the Metra Group) to the effect that B.E.A. had decided to withdraw the check-in facilities? I have that statement here and will give it to the noble Earl afterwards, but may I ask him whether, having given an assurance on the part of the Government that this would not be done until after the report was made, he will deal with the matter and make a statement to the House?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, the noble Baroness said that she had a Question down next week and, indeed, the 1816 Question which she has relates to this very point. But I am aware of what was published in the paper to which she referred and I have made the appropriate inquiries to see whether or not I did misinform the House. At the time I made the statement I was informed that what I said was correct, and having re-checked it, I am able to tell the noble Baroness and the House that what I said then stands and is correct. In fact the West London Air Terminal will not be closed during the course of 1973.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I am sorry but I thought I really was clear. Never mind at the end of 1973 ", may I ask the noble Earl whether he recalls making the statement that no decision about the withdrawal of check-in facilities at Gloucester Road would be taken until after the report of the Metra Consulting Group had been made? And does he recall that just a minute or two ago he told us that that report was expected, I think, at the end of next month? Will be then explain to the House how it is that B.E.A. took the law into their own hands on October 10, ignored the assurance the noble Earl had given, and said that a decision had been made to withdraw these facilities?
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, I am perfectly well aware of the assurance I gave. I thought I had answered the point made by the noble Baroness but, as I have always explained to her, the Government themselves are not responsible for the actions B.E.A. take. I am aware that on this occasion there may have been some dichotomy of view, but I can only reassure the noble Baroness that the assurance I gave her then stands. Indeed, it was checked with the British Airways Board this morning to make quite certain that I had not misled the noble Baroness. I do not think I can go further than that.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I am in the hands of the House. I see that the Leader of the House is not here—
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, if the noble Earl the Leader of the House does not mind my dropping upon him, may I say that I am in a fix and I wonder whether he can help me 1817 as a Back-Bencher. I do not know whether he has been at the Bar of the House and knows what I am talking about, but may I ask him this? I was saying that we had been given an assurance in this House by the Government on August 4 that a certain decision would not be taken until a report by the Metra Consulting Group had been made. A decision has now been announced by B.E.A. before that Group has reported. I think that is a breaking of faith and I am wondering whether the Government are prepared to take up the matter with B.E.A.
EARL JELLICOEMy Lords, first of all I must apologise to your Lordships' House. I have been at an official function, neither in the bathroom nor in the bar, and I have not heard the whole of the noble Baroness's questions and my noble friend's answers. What I propose to do is to study this position and, if needs be, I will either ask my noble friend to make, or I myself will make, a statement to your Lordships' House.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYI thank the noble Earl.
§ LORD TREFGARNEMy Lords, when the noble Earl the Leader of the House considers this matter, will be bear in mind that there are others, particularly on this side, who share the views of the noble Baroness, Lady Burton, on this subject? It is one of wide public concern, and some of us feel that B.E.A. have jumped the gun.
EARL FERRERSMy Lords, I wonder whether I might answer my noble friend, and also again the noble Baroness, just to see whether I can make the point that much clearer. I did give an assurance that no decision would be taken to close the West London Air Terminal before the Metra Consulting Group had reported. I am bound to say that I was surprised when this announcement appeared in the B.E.A. notice, because obviously there had not been quite the co-ordination that might have been expected. In view of this, I understand that there has been a meeting of the British European Airways to decide what, so to speak, has gone astray, and I am assured that the assurance which I gave does still stand. I cannot say to the noble Baroness why or how 1818 B.E.A. came to publish something of which I was not aware.
VISCOUNT MONCKMy Lords, in order to finish this rather long Question, may I ask my noble friend whether he is aware that there is a Member of your Lordships' House who has to-day attained the ripe age of 88, known in Bingo language as "Two fat ladies", and would he agree that we offer to the noble Lord, Lord Shinwell, many happy returns?