§ 3.9 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 whether they are in a position to make an interim Statement on the talks being held in London between the United Kingdom Civil Aviation Authority and the United States Civil Aeronautics Board on the question of fares on the North Atlantic route.
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)My Lords, the talks were adjourned yesterday afternoon to allow both sides to review the situation separately. They will be resumed in Washington, probably next week.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask him whether it is correct that the Civil Aeronautics Board considered that the fares proposed by B.O.A.C. and British Caledonian were too low, and also that the number of seats which they suggested should be reserved on scheduled flights was too high?
§ LORD DRUMALBYNYes, my Lords. The noble Baroness has summarised the points of difference quite well.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, I thank the noble Lord. Moving on from there, may I ask the Minister whether it is a fact that the British airlines felt that their suggestions were viable financially, and also that they had the full and complete support of our own Civil Aviation Authority? If these two facts are correct, is there anything that the Government can do to expedite a successful and speedy conclusion?
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, the Government are taking part in these negotiations at the present time. They are doing their utmost to reach agreement. The noble Baroness will recognise that alterations in the existing rules can only be achieved through agreement.
§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYMy Lords, may I take the Minister up on that point? Is the Minister aware, first of all, that it is very good to know that the Government are involved? It is always so very difficult to find the Government involved in these meetings when we ask Questions in the House. Secondly, may I ask this question? As the fares we are discussing should be operational on April 1, which is very near for people making arrangements, if it seems that agreement cannot be reached will consideration be given to what I would call a mutually unilateral decision: in other words, we would recognise fares for flights from this country, and the Americans would recognise those from America?
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, shall be glad to pass on that suggestion. I hope that the situation will not arise, and that agreement will be reached.
§ LORD DERWENTMy Lords, would not the negotiations be expedited if Her Majesty's Government found some means of introducing the noble Baroness, Lady Burton of Coventry, into the negotiations?
§ LORD DRUMALBYNMy Lords, I take note of my noble friend's suggestion.