§ 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 consider that the letter sent by British Airways to the Airline Users' Committee and referred to in the Official Report of 29th March last (col. 759) fulfills the undertaking given by the Civil Aviation Authority as stated in the House on 13th July last at column 148 that airlines are required to publicise arrangements making clear to passengers their rights concerning compensation in the event of being off-loaded; if not, how they suggest that the arrangements be so publicised; and whether they will make a statement.
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I understand that in the letter referred to by my noble friend, British Airways propose to include in their published timetables and in the next conditions of carriage reference to the Overbooking Compensation Scheme. This is in addition to the requirement for airlines to give full details of the Scheme to all passengers denied carriage. These arrangements are in general line with the requirements envisaged by the Civil Aviation Authority when giving their undertaking last July.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, my noble friend on 29th March last agreed with me that passengers should 878 be given advance notice of these compensation details. Is he aware that what he has told me now, which I regard as quite inadequate, does not give any advance details to passengers, because ordinary passengers do not see these detailed timetables and neither do they read the minute print in the conditions of carriage? Would my noble friend not agree?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I recall the exchange on the earlier occasion. I think I said that I understood my noble friend's view on this matter, which is not quite as she has quoted me today. I agree that people do not perhaps readily read the small print in timetables, but the information is there and people can be informed of their rights through a readily available document.
§ Lord HAILSHAM of SAINT MARYLEBONEMy Lords, will the noble Lord ponder the way in which his immediate answer can be reconciled with the Unfair Contract Terms Bill to be introduced on Second Reading on Monday by his noble friend Lord Jacques? How can he possibly reconcile the answer with the policy contained in that Bill?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, we shall have an opportunity to consider the matter on Second Reading of that Bill on Monday, and no doubt the more detailed points can be pursued at Committee stage.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, is my noble friend aware that he is mistaken? If he will look at Hansard for 29th March, he will find that he said he would write to the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority on this matter, about my views, which he supported. May I ask whether he has had a reply to that letter, and what it was?
Lord ORAMYes, my Lords, I said I would give my noble friend my support in writing to the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority. I have had a reply from him in very similar terms to the letter which she will have seen as a member of the Airline Users' Committee and to which her Question refers. Indeed, the letter from the chairman of the Civil Aviation Authority is effectively summarised in the original Answer which I gave just now. My writing to the chairman is one further 879 example of the many attempts I have made over many months, through many Questions, to help my noble friend procedurally. On one recent occasion she was good enough to acknowledge this. On seeing her present Question, I thought very carefully once again whether there were any further steps I could take to help her; but I must tell her, regretfully, that I have concluded that there are no such further steps, because this is essentially a matter which falls within the responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, to be fair to my noble friend, may I say that I do greatly appreciate what he has tried to do. But is he aware that I despair that our united efforts seem to make no impression on these large organisations when small individuals require a statement of their rights?
Lord ORAMMy Lords, I was interested to notice that my noble friend was recently giving a lecture to a relevant audience on how to make your voice heard, a subject upon which she is a great expert.