§ 2.36 p.m.
§ Lord THOMASMy 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 steps are currently being taken to extend Concorde route licences East of Bahrain so that a service from Britain to Australia can be mounted.
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, we are pressing ahead with discussions with the countries concerned, but while they are in progress it would not be appropriate to give details. Further statements will be made at the appropriate time.
§ Lord THOMASMy Lords, in thanking the noble Lord for that Answer, may I ask whether he is aware that, unless more traffic is made available to Concorde, there will not be utilisation of five aircraft already ordered by British Airways, let alone orders for any more? Is he further aware that the air travelling public is taking to Concorde—as the load factors and bookings show—and that Concorde is the most punctual of all aeroplanes at present being operated by British Airways?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I think the whole House is in sympathy with what the noble Lord has said. As soon as information is available it will be given.
§ Lord ORR-EWINGMy Lords, does the noble Lord recall that on 24th September 994 last, in view of the complicated issues which arise we asked that, in negotiating these new supersonic routes, we might have a Cabinet Minister who would make himself responsible? We also asked for a slightly greater sense of urgency, since it was essential that the Bahrain route should be extended as far as Australia at the earliest possible moment to match some of the very productive routes which the French have. Can the noble Lord assure us that some sense of urgency is now being applied to solving this problem and getting on with these very important negotiations?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMMy Lords, I can only repeat what I have said; that is, that the matter is being treated as one of great urgency, since we are all hoping to utilise the potential of this great aircraft.
§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy Lords, in view of the Ministers' meeting in Paris yesterday, presumably the route from Bahrain to Australia over India was discussed. Will the Government be making an official Statement about yesterday's meeting?
§ Lord WINTERBOTTOMYes, my Lords the communiqué has not yet been issued, but I should imagine it will be issued at any time now. Noble Lords will have an opportunity to comment upon it when it appears.