HL Deb 12 July 1984 vol 454 cc1036-8

3.3 p.m.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question standing in my name on the Order Paper.

The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have as yet received the report of the inspector on the public inquiry into the siting of London's third airport and that from the Civil Aviation Authority on the future development of the British airline industry and, if not, when they expect to do so.

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, neither of these reports has yet been received. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport expects to receive the Civil Aviation Authority's report on its review of airline competition policy within the next few days, and that of the inspector into the Stansted/Heathrow Terminal 5 inquiries later this summer.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, may I ask the Minister (as he was asked this question in the debate on 27th June and did not give an answer) whether he is able to say that following the publication of the Civil Aviation Authority's report there will be a debate in both Houses of Parliament? May I also ask him whether that debate will take place before the Government announce a decision?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, if the noble Baroness is referring to the Civil Aviation Authority's report, then I have to say that the matter of a debate is not one for me but is one for the usual channels. I am certain that they will take note of the views of the noble Baroness. I imagine that it will also rather depend on what the report says.

Lord Peyton of Yeovil

My Lords, will my noble friend bear in mind that, as is not unusual, there are various versions—or one version, really—of the Civil Aviation Authority's report on the future of British Airways? Will my noble friend be good enough to inform his right honourable friend the Secretary of State for Transport that there would be considerable anxiety if the Government were to take action which would have the effect of inflicting lasting damage on the competitive capacity of British Airways and would also cause to that airline a considerable burden of redundancy? May I echo the plea of the noble Baroness that before any decisions are taken there should be a debate in this House?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, lasting damage is the last thing that my right honourable friend would wish to inflict upon British Airways or any other company. As to the question of a debate, that is not a matter for me but I have no doubt that many noble Lords will want to express their views to their respective Chief Whips on the matter.

Lord Bruce of Donington

My Lords, can the Minister give an indication as to when the report will be available to your Lordships' House?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I imagine that my right honourable friend will want to publish the report in due course. Indeed, it may be possible that the Civil Aviation Authority will do so before then; but that will be a matter for them.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, may I ask the Minister, in case I misheard him, whether he is aware that it does not seem to me, anyway, to be a matter of what is contained in the report, as to whether or not we have a debate? Does he not agree that on a matter so important as this the House should have a debate irrespective of what the report contains?

Lord Trefgarne

Again, my Lords, that is not a matter for me. The noble Baroness will very likely want to raise this matter in your Lordships' House anyway; but it might be that if the report does not propose any major changes the pressure for a debate will be less.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

I am sorry, my Lords, but the Minister—

Lord Beswick

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that he has not answered the question put by the noble Baroness? This is not simply a matter for the usual channels. The usual channels may not be operating during August, September and October. I believe the fear is that a decision might be taken while the House is in Recess. Will the noble Lord assure the House that that will not be the case? Also, does the noble Lord accept that there is more than one view about what will happen if British Airways relinquish routes which were awarded to them when they were the national flag carrier?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I certainly agree that there is more than one respectable view about what the right way forward may be in these matters. I am afraid I cannot go so far as to give the noble Lord the assurance he seeks, but I am certain that my right honourable friend will have the consideration he mentioned very much in mind.

The Earl of Kinnoull

My Lords, can my noble friend confirm that, in the event of any transfer of routes, there would have to be legislation to implement it?

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, in the absence of a decision to do what my noble friend is anticipating, I cannot answer his question.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, is the Minister aware that, like the noble Lord, Lord Boyd-Carpenter, in a recent debate, I am taking no sides in this issue until I have seen the report? But I will press him on what he said. Does the noble Lord recall that he said a minute or two ago that it would depend on what was in the report, as to whether or not it will be necessary to have a debate in this House? That is surely not the case. If the House wishes to debate that report, then surely the contents are not a matter of concern at the moment.

Lord Trefgarne

My Lords, I was not seeking to establish the circumstances in which such a debate may or may not take place. That will be a matter for noble Lords and noble Baronesses when they see the report and decide for themselves whether the matter is such that they wish to raise it.