HL Deb 18 March 1982 vol 428 cc750-1

3.12 p.m.

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 they have any information concerning the progress made in the experiment of the sale and availability of discounted air tickets carried out by some 2,000 IATA/ABTA approved agents on certain British Airways routes to the Far East during the past two and a half months; and whether they will make a statement.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Trefgarne)

My Lords, I understand that British Airways have sold a limited number of these tickets over the past two and a half months. At the same time, there have been very constructive discussions involving the Association of British Travel Agents and major airlines on the routes in question; and I believe that these discussions are making good progress towards agreement to respect approved fares and conditions on the routes. I have made it clear in the past that the Government look to the industry to put its own house in order so far as these matters are concerned, and British Airways have our support for their efforts directed towards this end.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, that is a much better Answer than I have ever known. The Minister has implied this, but may I ask him whether, as at this particular time British Airways are going through a very difficult period, he will confirm that the Government will give every support to British Airways in their efforts to persuade other carriers to co-operate with them in this worthwhile venture, which is, after all, an attempt to bring discounted tickets within the reach of a much wider general public?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I think it is important for British Airways and the various carriers in question to be allowed to conduct these negotiations themselves without any bullying from Government, but the Government certainly hope that the negotiations will succeed, and we have every reason to believe that they will.