Marquess of Hamiltonasked the Minister of Aviation what reply he has sent to the letter from the hon. Member for Fermanagh and South Tyrone regarding the difficulties on the London-Belfast air routes.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI yesterday sent a reply to the hon. Member's letter, which was despatched after he had tabled this Question. I reminded him of the considerably increased capacity provided by B.E.A. in July, and drew his attention to the airline's answers to a number of related points raised by other hon. Members from Northern Ireland constituencies.
§ Mr. Chichester-Clarkasked the Minister of Aviation if, in view of the difficulties at present being experienced, he will consult airline operators with a view to approving more services on the London-Belfast routes.
§ Mr. Roy JenkinsI have earlier had consultations with B.E.A., who have already considerably increased their capacity on the route. For the summer season generally the Corporation are now running seven Vanguard return flights daily, which provide over 1,000 seats each way. Many extra flights were arranged during July, especially in Ulster week.
As regards other operators, the hon. Member will be aware that various applications are now under consideration by the Air Transport Licensing Board. My responsibilities in the event of an appeal preclude me from any such action as the hon. Member proposes.