Air Transport: EC Liberalisation Proposals (Hansard, 20 July 1989)

§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)
My Lords, I am pleased to learn that the Commission finalised its proposals yesterday for submission to the Council of Ministers. We shall need to study the details, but early reports indicate that the Commission has taken up many of our suggestions. These include much greater freedom for airlines to set their own fares; the opening up of all routes between member states; relaxation of capacity constraints and limits on mulitiple designation and further liberalisation of fifth freedom services; and action on national route licensing to give all airlines the opportunity to compete in the market.

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, I am glad that the Answer to the first part of the Question is yes, even though it happened only yesterday. I am sure that the whole House will have noted with pleasure what the Minister said. However, may I ask him about two matters concerned with the second part of the Question which were not dealt with in the statement that he gave? Do the Government accept that the problem of air traffic congestion must be dealt with urgently and enthusiastically if airlines and passengers alike are to have a better deal? After last weekend I should think that the answer is yes. Secondly, does he agree that along with the problem of congestion must go that of providing adequate runway and terminal capacity? If so, what can the Government do to hasten along the solution to those two matters?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, of course adequate runway and terminal capacity at points of departure and arrival are central to the efficiency of air travel. That is why, in response to a commission from my right honourable friend, the CAA is at present preparing advice on the adequacy of UK airport capacity in the long term. We expect its advice by next summer. As regards the problems of air traffic control, last weekend's unfortunate experiences were largely the result of industrial action in France. It is difficult to know what we can 908 do to help in that respect. We take the problem of air traffic control extremely seriously. That is why we have been pushing forward with initiatives in Europe.

§ Lord Boyd-Carpenter
My Lords, will my noble friend accept congratulations for the good news which he conveyed about yesterday's decision? Does he not agree that congratulations are also owing to the noble Baroness, Lady Burton of Coventry, for her indefatigable efforts in this direction?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I agree entirely with the latter part of my noble friend's question. I should like to qualify slightly what I said. This is not so much a decision but Commission proposals which are being put forward to the Council of Ministers. I suspect that we shall have somewhat of a battle to get them through the Council of Ministers. Some countries in Europe have not yet seen the benefits which arise from a liberalisation so we must explain that their doubts are unfounded.

§ Lord Underhill
My Lords, although I admire the noble Baroness's tenacity in continually pressing the matter, is it not a fact that the second part of her Question is important? The British Airports Authority and the Civil Aviation Authority are in complete agreement that there is an urgent requirement to deal with the problem of air space and air flow movement on a European basis. I fully support the noble Baroness's comments, but does the Minister agree that, despite his efforts in Europe, there is still a lack of urgency by a number of countries in the development of proper Eurocontrol? Does he further agree that unless that matter is dealt with we shall not overcome the problem of delays of aircraft from this country?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, if there has been a lack of urgency in the development of Eurocontrol, I hope that our actions, among others, taken during the past 12 months have done a great deal to speed things up. We had a fairly momentous decision a fortnight ago when approval was given for the new central flow management unit. Eurocontrol is to be congratulated on doing the preparatory work and putting forward firm proposals in only six months. That is a short time span. Things are moving in the right direction but there is still much to be done.

§ Lord Tordoff
My Lords, the noble Lord rightly refers to the French air traffic controllers' strike last weekend which caused chaos. Is he aware of reports that immigration officers at Gatwick Airport are now causing difficulties on this side of the Channel, and has he any comments to make?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I have heard reports of those difficulties but I have no comment to make at the moment.

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, I appreciate the kindness and generosity of the remarks made. However, does the Minister realise that we shall have many opportunities of returning 909 to the problem of BAA and the problem of runway capacity at a future date? Can he tell the House when the Transport Ministers will be discussing the proposals from the European Commission? Does he realise that the comments of the noble Lord, Lord Underhill, require underlining? Is the Minister aware that it is not enough to leave these matters to the Community because there has been far too little sense of urgency in dealing with them and we cannot wait another year until we begin to decide what to do?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, we shall not have to wait another year because we have already made the decision. We should see signs of progress on the first stages by the beginning of next year. We shall have no less than two opportunities at Question Time next week to discuss airport capacity, so I for one know that the issue will not go away.

§ Baroness Burton of Coventry
My Lords, can the Minister say when the Ministers hope to discuss these matters? Am I right in assuming that it will be in October, and can he give definite dates?

§ Lord Brabazon of Tara
My Lords, I apologise for not answering that part of the noble Baroness's question. The French presidency proposes to hold an informal transport council which I hope will be able to discuss the matters. The last date I had in my diary was 6th October, but already the date has changed twice.