HL Deb 02 July 1996 vol 573 cc1298-9

2.41 p.m.

Lord McNally asked Her Majesty's Government:

What progress has been made in discussions between Britain and Singapore with the intention of liberalising air services between the two countries.

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Transport (Viscount Goschen)

My Lords, a first round of talks was held in Singapore in March, and a second round of talks is currently taking place at the Department of Transport.

Lord McNally

My Lords, does the Minister agree that these negotiations are dragging on for a long time? Can he assure the House that the interests of Manchester International Airport are not being subordinated to the interests of Heathrow or British Airways? At the same time, will he promise to visit the magnificent exhibition on the Committee Corridor which commemorates the success of Manchester International Airport over the past 50 years?

Viscount Goschen

My Lords, from a glance at my diary I understand that I am to visit that exhibition this evening. The air services agreement involves complex negotiations and a number of factors are involved. Certainly, Manchester has been involved in determining our negotiating position with regard to Singapore. But one must also take into account the interests of British airlines and British consumers.

Lord Boyd-Carpenter

My Lords, does my noble friend agree that a number of years ago there was a direct daily Concorde flight between Singapore and Heathrow and that that service was interrupted only by the refusal of the Iranians to allow the aircraft to overfly Iran? Will my noble friend consider securing consent from Iran so that the daily Concorde flight can be reinstated?

Viscount Goschen

My Lords, I am grateful to my noble friend for bringing that historical fact to the attention of the House. I will endeavour to find out whether or not there is any restriction on Concorde operating that route. But, restrictions aside, it would be for British Airways to determine whether or not it wished to operate that service.

Lord Molloy

My Lords, is the Minister aware that this issue is important to the Singaporeans? Following his welcome reply this afternoon, will there be further discussions so that we keep in touch with the Singaporeans and pursue this endeavour in which they have so much faith?

Viscount Goschen

My Lords, it is important to both Singapore and the United Kingdom. Discussions are taking place at this very moment within the department.

Lord Clinton-Davis

My Lords,I recognise the need to ensure that progress continues in the development of an open skies policy and fairer competition throughout and recognise the desirability of maximising the role of airports outside the London region, but does the Minister accept from me that we do not feel we should probe his negotiating position? That cannot be helpful. We wish him well in securing a good deal for Britain, our airlines and consumers and, it is to be hoped, for the Singaporeans.

Viscount Goschen

My Lords, I thank the noble Lord for making that point. We are in the middle of detailed negotiations and do not wish to expose our position. The noble Lord is quite right when he says that we must put the interests of UK consumers, airlines and airports at the front of our minds and pursue a liberalising policy on that basis.

Lord Dean of Beswick

My Lords, will the Minister explain the latter half of his reply to the Question put by the noble Lord, Lord McNally? It has been said that at present Manchester Airport is at a disadvantage compared with the other two major airports in this country. If that is so, will the Minister ensure that that position is rectified as soon as possible?

Viscount Goschen

My Lords, we understand the needs of regional airports and the importance of services operating to those airports. That is a matter which we take fully into account in determining our negotiating position. No doubt that is one of the issues that is being discussed as we speak.

Lord Jenkins of Putney

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that there are other sections of the British population who are concerned about this; namely, those who live under the flight path at Heathrow? Those people wish Manchester well.

Viscount Goschen

My Lords, I recognise that. Some may say that the feeling is mutual as far as concerns Mancunians. We understand the environmental difficulties in the field of air transport and seek to put in place a regime that minimises them.