§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy 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 cooperation between the European Commission and the Council of Transport Ministers on the subject of air transport competition has been advanced by recent developments and by the discussion held between the Secretary of State and the Transport Commissioner of the European Community in late January. (H.L. Deb. 29th January, col. 462.)
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)My Lords, my right honourable friend has had a number of meetings with both the Transport and Competition Commissioners, including the meeting referred to by the noble Baroness. He has pressed the Commission for assurances that it will stand firm and resist any watering-down of the package of aviation measures that the UK put forward last year.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, while hoping that the commissioners will take note of that suggestion and that advice, what I had in mind was the informal meeting of the Transport Ministers on 17th February. Can the Minister tell the House whether or not anything useful emerged from that meeting and whether it is true that the Commission was unhappy at the rate of progress made? If that is the case, could the Minister tell the House whether he feels that the commissioners mentioned in his original Answer will really take some active steps in the matter?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, at the informal Council on 17th February the Commission made it clear to other member states that it will take whatever steps are necessary to ensure that any agreement on a package constitutes a genuinely worthwhile first step. The Commission's role in the negotiations is crucial. We are encouraged by the line it is taking and trust that it will not cave in to restrictionist member states.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, while thanking the Minister for that reply, is it not correct that the Community is coming under increasing pressure from the consumer movement for some definite advance in the liberalisation of air transport? Do the Government feel that they could co-operate by joining with the consumer movement in these matters so that some real progress is made?
§ Lord Brabazon of TaraMy Lords, yes, I understand that the consumer movement is in regular contact with 1132 the Commission. The British consumer movement is very active and effective in making its position clear and the Government are closely in contact with it. My right honourable friend the Secretary of State recently met the National Consumer Council—in fact only last Monday. We know that the British consumer movement does all it can to encourage similar bodies in other member states to press their case. However, we really need some pressure from European consumers to help us on our way.