§ 2.45 p.m.
§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy 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 to what extent the full exploitation of a New York Concorde service would be limited by a lack of trained aircrews, and what steps British Airways have taken to train aircrews for a possible service to Australia.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, British Airways have informed me that their Concorde pilot training scheme is now running smoothly and efficiently. If access to New York were available, the airline could operate five flights per week by the end of July, and a daily service by the end of September, but some of these would have to be switched from the Washington service. The output from subsequent pilot training courses would be deployed on restoring the Washington services and on the route to Australia.
§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that Answer—which is not entirely satisfactory —may I ask whether he can say when a full complement of aircrew will be trained by British Airways so that not only can the Washington and New York runs be fully utilised but also the run to Australia?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I had hoped that the noble Earl would have found my original Answer very satisfactory. There have been difficulties, as he knows, and we should be glad that those difficulties are now being overcome and that British Airways can indicate the kind of timetable to which I referred in my original Answer.
§ The Earl of KIMBERLEYMy Lords, the noble Lord has not answered my question as to when British Airways say they will have crews available for the Australia run.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, it is hoped that operations to Singapore will be possible by the spring or summer of 1978, and to Melbourne shortly after that.
§ Lord THOMASMy Lords, would the noble Lord accept that, although there were massive delays in the training of Concorde pilots due to their asking for extra recoverable expenses to reach the training centre, the programme is now going well and with very few delays? Furthermore, would the noble Lord accept that during these unfortunate industrial disputes at Heathrow all Concorde flights have been on schedule, so far as they are permitted by route licences at the present time? Is not that something of which British industry can feel a little proud?
Lord ORAMYes, indeed, my Lords; there were early disputes. First, there was a dispute over pay and, secondly, over the provision of cars for the pilots in training. But those difficulties have been overcome and, as I indicated, the programme is now operating smoothly. That is a matter about which we can all feel satisfied. I endorse what the noble Lord said about the schedules being kept in good order, despite the well-known extreme difficulties in connection with the dispute with the maintenance engineers.
§ Lord CARRINGTONMy Lords, why should we be proud when people do their job properly? Should we not be irritated when they do not?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, when industrial disputes arise, we ought to take satisfaction at a successful outcome to them.
Earl ALEXANDER of TUNISMy Lords, can the noble Lord say whether talks have taken place with the Canadian authorities to establish a service to, for example, Montreal or Toronto?
Lord ORAMNo, my Lords, I am afraid that I have no information about that matter, but I will look into it.
§ Lord BALFOUR of INCHRYEMy Lords, would the Minister agree that, as regards safety and regulation, the efficiency of the aircrews of the Concorde in its months of service is something of which we can be proud? If the other crews now under training attain that standard, our pride will be even greater.
Lord ORAMYes, my Lords. If the noble Lord, Lord Carrington, does not mind me expressing pride, I think we should be proud.