§ 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, as British Airways now plan to extend the overbooking compensation scheme to return flights resulting from an original booking made on British Airways in the United Kingdom so that passengers on British Airways are covered for the whole of the ticket and not only for half of it, they will once more seek a wider application of the principle by other airlines either through ECAC (European Civil Aviation Conference) or through IATA (International Air Transport Association).
§ The PARLIAMENTARY UNDERSECRETARY of STATE, DEPARTMENT of the ENVIRONMENT (Baroness Stedman)My Lords, the Government welcome the efforts which are being made by British Airways through the Association of European Airlines to extend to other European countries the overbooking compensation scheme which now operates for flights from the United Kingdom. We understand that earlier this month a working group of the AEA agreed upon a resolution which largely reflects the United Kingdom position on overbooking compensation and that this resolution has been sent to all their members for mail vote by the end of January.
§ Baroness BURTON of COVENTRYMy Lords, does the Minister realise that British Airways are now actually paying 1548 the compensation, both on return flights and outward ones from the United Kingdom, which I think is a great victory for this House, and may I ask her whether she would feel able to write to British Airways to congratulate them on the initiative that they have taken in the Association of European Airlines; that we all hope that the Association will agree to such a scheme and, if they do, it will be a great triumph for everyone in this country who has fought for it?
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, I am sure it is a matter for congratulation for this House and, in particular, for personal congratulations to my noble friend. I will certainly see that a copy of today's Hansard is sent to the appropriate authorities.
§ Lord YOUNG of DARTINGTONMy Lords, may I ask whether the expression of appreciation which the Minister is willing to make might be made particularly warm and might mention the fact that British consumers, on the whole, do not have very much to be grateful for to nationalised industries? But this is a case which needs a special underlining and I very much hope that the Minister will be prepared to do that when, through her Department, she lets British Airways know the feeling of this House.
§ Baroness STEDMANMy Lords, I will certainly express it in warm terms. I would not suggest that we get a raw deal from nationalised industries, but I will certainly express in warm terms our appreciation of what has been said, and I will make sure that this Hansard reaches them.