HL Deb 15 January 1987 vol 483 cc631-2
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 will make a Statement on any decisions taken at the meeting of EC Transport Ministers on 15th December affecting European air fares.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

My Lords, as my noble friend explained to the noble Baroness on 17th December, a majority of states supported our proposals for the content of a three-year first step towards full liberalisation by 1992. Only two states remained totally opposed to our ideas for making cheap fares more widely available. We have assured the new Belgian presidency of our full support in finalising agreement of our package.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

Yes, my Lords, but that does not deal with the Question on the Order Paper, which asks what happened at the meeting of Transport Ministers on 15th December. However, perhaps when the noble Lord replies to my supplementary questions he can remedy that.

May I ask additionally what steps the European Commission has taken following receipt of replies from 10 European airlines and whether all these have now been received? Is it correct that British Caledonian has been removed from the list? If so, I am very glad. However, can the Minister tell the House the reason for that so that other airlines can profit from the information.

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, in answer to the first Question of the noble Baroness, the Council secretariat did issue a press release reproducing my right honourable friend's summing up at the December Council. That press release was made available throughout the Community and I understand that copies are available in the Library. As regards the action of the Commission against the 10 airlines, I am not at present aware of the current state of progress in that matter. It is a matter for the Commission. However, I do understand that British Caledonian was removed from that list.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, that has not advanced us at all. First, may I thank the Minister for sending me a copy of the report to which he referred? However, surely he should know whether the Commission has taken any action. That is what is wrong; we never can find out who has done what. Furthermore, may I ask whether the Minister can tell us why British Caledonian has had the good fortune—and, I think, the justification—of having its name withdrawn from that list?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I am afraid that I do not have the answer to that question. I shall look into the matter and write to the noble Baroness.

The Earl of Lauderdale

My Lords, can my noble friend say which two countries are opposed to the proposition?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, no, not the two countries with which we ended up and to which I referred in my original Answer. I do not know which they were.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, the question which has just been asked is one that I was going to ask. I note that in the reply to the noble Baroness given by the noble Viscount, Lord Davidson, on 17th December reference was made to the fact that seven states completely support the views of the Government on cheaper fares and that only two are totally opposed. Surely the noble Viscount knew the two countries then and surely the noble Lord must know them now. What are the two countries?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I have already said that I do not know at the moment. I shall certainly find out which they are and write to the noble Lord.

Baroness Burton of Coventry

My Lords, I have no wish to be rude to the Minister but I think that he should know when questions are put down on the Order Paper. I am not at all amused and I am getting rather tired of it. Is it not right that whoever provides the brief for the Minister should take the trouble to see what replies are likely to be necessary? As he has just told the House that he does not know about British Caledonian, does not know the reason and does not know the action which the Commission has taken, we have gleaned no information at all. Is he further aware that a letter to me on that subject will not satisfy me and that I proposed to put down the same Question a few weeks hence when he will perhaps know the answer?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, as I said originally, that was a matter for the Commission. I am now in a position to tell noble Lords that the two countries which totally oppose us are Spain and Portugal.

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