§ Baroness Burton of Coventry asked Her Majesty's Government:
§ Whether they will list those civil aviation matters discussed at the meeting of the European Council of Transport Ministers held on 18th/19th June indicating agreements reached and action decided upon, with particular reference to any proposals put forward by the Commission on denied boarding compensation.
§ Baroness BlatchMy Lords, EC Transport Ministers agreed a second stage of air transport liberalisation measures, and committed themselves to a single market in aviation by 1992. Regulations on fares, market access and capacity sharing, and on the application of the competition rules to air transport were agreed. Agreement was also reached on a mandate for the opening of negotiations in aviation matters with EFTA. Commitments were made to adopt measures to liberalise air cargo services by 31st March 1991 and to deal with predatory activities by airlines. The Commission's proposals on denied boarding compensation were not, however, discussed.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, I believe that there is much for us to study in that most helpful reply which indicates action rather than procrastination. I believe that the Government have worked hard to bring about this change. Can the House be sure that they will continue to keep up the pressure in Europe so that the interim measures in the autumn, and the more radical general measures post-1992, will bring wider competition and cheaper air fares? That is what people expect.
Perhaps I may ask one further question. Looking at the next two and a half years, are the Government able to accept that it is vital that we solve the problem of slot allocation if any of this action is to be a success?
§ Baroness BlatchMy Lords, we welcome the generous comments of the noble Baroness about the pressure by this country in respect of these matters. I can absolutely assure her that we shall keep up that pressure. We have been leading, and will continue to lead, in the field to bring about the maximum degree of liberalisation which will lead to a free, fair and open competitive market in aviation.
On the second part of the noble Baroness's question, at the Council the Commission said that it would be bringing forward proposals for slot allocation by September of this year.
§ Lord Carmichael of KelvingroveMy Lords, I think that the House will be pleased with the exhaustive statement that the noble Baroness has made. However, the noble Baroness, Lady Burton, raised in her Question an important point about denied boarding compensation to which I hope the Government will pay attention. I believe that the noble Baroness spoke in general terms about denied boarding compensation with regard to regular passengers. I hope that the Government will consider not only passengers on scheduled flights but those on chartered flights who are unable to board a plane because it is overbooked. For such passengers the situation may be even more serious when it affects their fortnight's holiday than for those regular travellers who can always catch the next scheduled flight.
§ Baroness BlatchMy Lords, the proposals on denied boarding compensation will be issued for consultation and we shall hear more about them.
Chartered flights are not subject to these measures because chartered flying is a freer, fairer and more open market. However, I note the cautionary remarks of the noble Lord and will pass them on to the departments.
§ Baroness Burton of CoventryMy Lords, I forgot to ask the Minister this question. Can she give us the date of the next Council meeting? I believe that she said a statement will be made by the Commission in September. Will that be before, at or after the Council meeting?
§ Baroness BlatchMy Lords, I cannot be precise about the date. However, I believe that there is a Council meeting in July, but that of course will be too early for this set of proposals. Therefore, the matter will be dealt with at a meeting much closer to the September date.