§ 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 are now in a position to say when they expect completion of the Review on Air Security Charges and related matters being conducted by the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Trade and whether, upon completion, a Statement will be made in both Houses of Parliament.
§ The Secretary of State for Trade (Lord Cockfield)My Lords, the Government expect to complete the review before the summer adjournment, and to inform each House of Parliament of the results. I can tell the House now, though, that I have decided, subject to the approval of Parliament, to extend the reduction of 40p in the aviation security levy from 31st August 1982 until 31st March 1983. Draft amendment regulations to give effect to this will be laid shortly.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, while being glad of any information and, of course, being grateful for the reduction that the noble Lord has just announced, may I ask him whether it would be possible to give advance information to those of us who are interested as to when we might expect the Statement when the time gets a little nearer?
§ Lord CockfieldMy Lords, I shall certainly bear in mind what the noble Baroness says, but usually one makes a Statement on these matters as soon as possible after the review has been completed.
§ Lord GisboroughMy Lords, can my noble friend say whether Her Majesty's Government are satisfied that the method of search at each gate is efficient and economical, and whether the American system of having one large system at the entrance to all the gates is not a lot more economical and a lot more efficient?
§ Lord CockfieldMy Lords, I shall certainly bear in mind what my noble friend says, but the review is primarily directed to the question of charging and recoupment of the costs involved.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, while the Minister probably would not wish to give an answer, may I ask him whether the views recently put before the Government by both IATA and the British Civil Aviation Standing Conference on the method of charging for air security are receiving their unbiased consideration?
§ Lord CockfieldMy Lords, we always give all representations unbiased consideration. It does not always follow, however, that the representations are within the ambit of the review.