§ 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 what further progress was made at the meeting of the European Civil Aviation Conference held on 10th June last concerning the scope for arrangements for overbooking compensation between airlines of Member States; and whether they will make a Statement.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, the meeting which was held on 10th June considered how best to carry forward study of the subject. A rapporteur supplied by the United Kingdom will circulate a questionnaire, the responses to which will provide a factual basis for a meeting of the Directors General of Civil Aviation later this year to consider both the extent of the problem and the ways it might be solved.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, does the noble Lord recall that on 5th May I thanked him and his right honourable friend for having had this matter referred to ECAC and for the sympathetic handling that it received? May I ask my noble friend, in view of what he has just said, whether it is possible to expedite the matter so that we do not have to wait until the end of the year, which would be, I think, some 15 or 16 months since the matter originally commenced?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, we shall be in touch with ECAC on the subject, including the timetable. We nave taken the initiative as I have indicated and are 290 prepared to continue to do so, but I think that my noble friend will appreciate that when such matters enter the international field there are procedures which necessarily take some time.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, I do appreciate that. May I ask my noble friend whether he realises how much those who are interested in this matter hope that the Government initiative will overcome the lethargy that goes through these lengthy procedures?