HL Deb 21 June 1977 vol 384 cc531-2
Baroness BURTON of COVENTRY

My 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 it is their intention to make a considered Statement on the recommendations contained in the report of the National Consumer Council entitled Consumers and the Nationalised Industries before the House rises for the Summer Recess; and if so, when this Statement may be expected.

Lord ORAM

My Lords, the Government will publish a White Paper later this year announcing their conclusions on the recommendations in the National Consumer Council's report and on those in the report of the National Economic Development Office on the nationalised industries; this is unlikely, however, to be before the Summer Recess.

Baroness BURTON of COVENTRY

My Lords, apart from the inevitable delay in making a general Statement on the whole report, which I understand, am I correct in assuming that the Government would be prepared to act on individual recommendations if such a course seemed practical or desirable?

Lord ORAM

My Lords, it may prove possible to deal with certain individual recommendations independently of the main body of the report. I know that my noble friend has particularly in mind the air transport industry, and if anything should prove possible in respect of that, the Government would consider what action to take. But I should emphasise that no decisions have yet been taken on any of the report's recommendations, and I am not in a position to comment on specific recommendations.

Baroness BURTON of COVENTRY

My Lords, if I might seize on the first part of that reply, which is more satisfactory than the latter part, may I ask the Minister whether he feels that the main recommendation in the report on the air transport side—namely, that the Airline Users' Committee should be independent of the Civil Aviation Authority—might be a candidate for early consideration?

Lord ORAM

My Lords, I know my noble friend's strong views about the need for the independence of consumer committees, including this one. Certainly that recommendation, among others, is being closely considered; but I do not think I can go further than what I said in my first supplementary answer.

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