HL Deb 29 March 1982 vol 428 cc1153-5

2.48 p.m.

Lord Campbell of Croy

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 will congratulate British Airways and the British Airports Authority on the effectiveness of the improvised arrangements in recent weeks for handling baggage at Heathrow, which have greatly assisted passengers, including disabled people.

Lord Lyell

My Lords, I am glad that, despite the present dispute at Heathrow. inconvenience to air travellers has been kept to a minimum. It would not be appropriate for the Government to intervene in this dispute, but I do hope that in everyone's interest a settlement will be reached very soon.

Lord Campbell of Croy

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for his perceptive and helpful reply. Is he aware that volunteers, including pilots and other aircrew, have been helping to maintain this essential service on the ground? Is my noble friend further aware that passengers who are unable to carry their own baggage, such as the elderly, have benefited also from the disappearance, during this period, of the pilfering which has been so deplorable a feature of Heathrow in the past?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, in reply to my noble friend's first question, I understand that it is indeed the case that other members of the British Airways staff have assisted in various duties which are normally carried out by the ramp workers. As to my noble friend's second question, there have been reports on the point he has indicated, but I am afraid we should require verification from British Airways management themselves.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, would the Minister agree that it is indeed a pleasant change when the travelling public is considered in these matters? Would he further agree that in disputes such as these it is always the person in the middle, wherever the dispute may be, who suffers? Finally, would he feel able to congratulate those people in British Airways who have contributed to this action and who have done it either instead of their own jobs or in their own free time? In addition, as I understand it, British Airways did not offer any payment for this until after the volunteers themselves had begun their work.

Lord Lyell

My Lords, in so far as British Airways are not always aware of the comments of the noble Baroness, I shall certainly draw to their attention the noble Baroness's remarks.

Lord Glenkinglas

My Lords, will my noble friend bear in mind what my noble kinsman said in his supplementary, that there has been a very large diminution in pilfering? Would he at least encourage the trade unions, when they come back and do some work, to follow the very good example of the volunteers?

Lord Lyell

My Lords, I can endeavour to bring the remarks of both my noble friends to the attention of British Airways, but, as there is to be a meeting of the union side tomorrow, I do not think that I should go any further on that this afternoon.

Lord Orr-Ewing

My Lords, is my noble friend aware that it has been widely reported that as many as 50 cases each week are reported of robbery from or within baggage going through London Airport? Is it not a fact that, since the volunteers took over, that figure has dropped from 50 to nought? This is a highly effective and responsible action by those volunteers.

Lord Lyell

My Lords, I do not know from where my noble friend obtains his information, but it is a trifle dangerous to suggest that something is, indeed, a fact, when it may not be. But I shall give the assurance, which I gave to both of my noble friends, that I will bring his remarks, together with theirs, to the attention of British Airways.