HL Deb 13 November 1990 vol 523 cc195-6

2.43 p.m.

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why there is no scheduled direct air service between the United Kingdom and Mexico, and when this will be established.

The Minister of State, Department of Transport (Lord Brabazon of Tara)

My Lords, the Air Services Agreement between the United Kingdom and Mexico signed in November 1988 established rights for an airline from each country to provide scheduled services on specified routes between our two countries. The decision whether to take advantage of these rights is a matter of commercial judgment for the airlines concerned.

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

My Lords, I thank my noble friend for that interesting piece of information. Is he aware that the flag carriers of France, Spain, Holland and Germany all have direct flights to Mexico? Furthermore, is he aware that Britain is now the second largest investor in Mexico after the USA but that the lack of any direct flights is an impediment to the development of trade in an economy which is showing a remarkable state of rapid recovery? Therefore, will he do his utmost and use his best offices to lean on the airlines in question and inform them that direct flights would be of great benefit to this country and, indeed, to Mexico?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, yes and no. I appreciate the importance of trade with Mexico. Therefore, through the Air Services Agreement, the Government have set up the mechanism for establishing direct services. On the other hand, I am not prepared to lean on the judgment of commercial airlines on the question of whether or not they should mount such a service.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the Minister aware that such services would be of great benefit to the airlines concerned? Indeed, if he were to approach them he would do them a great favour because this issue does not merely include improving cultural, economic and business relationships; it is also an idea which would do the airlines the world of good. Will he approach the airlines and point out that that service would be an advantage for them and also an advantage for the other reasons that I have mentioned?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, no. The airlines are perfectly capable of forming their own judgment with a view to what the noble Lord, Lord Molloy, said. It is entirely a matter for them as to whether or not they wish to mount such a service.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, in the light of the Minister's reply, can he say whether any United Kingdom airline has considered applying for a direct link with Mexico? If so, what has been the result of that request? Is it a question of having a suitable airport slot in this country in respect of which the airlines could fly from and to?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, I do not think so. I understand that British Airways has applied for a route licence with a view to resuming services to Mexico City in 1992. The question of a slot in this country would be considered through the normal mechanism. However, I am not aware that that would be any problem as regards mounting such a service.

Lord Underhill

My Lords, the Minister said that British Airways had made an application in 1982. Can he say why that request was refused?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, it has not been refused.

Viscount Montgomery of Alamein

My Lords, if British Airways is showing reluctance on this issue, is the Minister prepared to encourage regional airlines in the United Kingdom to fly from different airports because there are a very large number of efficient airports all over the country?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

; My Lords, there is nothing to prevent any airline from applying for a licence. Provided that the normal requirements for an issue are fulfilled, I can see no reason that such an application would be refused.

Lord Marsh

My Lords, does the noble Lord agree that British Airways seems to have done much better since it ceased to have a steady stream of government advice?

Lord Brabazon of Tara

My Lords, that is rather the impression that I have been trying to create in answering this Question.