§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what steps he intends to take to stop the illegal issue of air tickets on charter flights as reported to him in paragraphs 21 and 22 of the Air Transport Licensing Board's Report of 1971.
§ Mr. NobleIn addition to the normal enforcement action taken by the Department, I am studying the ways in which the abuses referred to in this Report might be dealt with more effectively.
§ Mr. Masonasked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will ascertain which air lines are operating with the Charter Travel Centre, Varol Travel, Jet Travel Concessions charter flight facilities, Expo International, 224W Travelscene, Club Olympian and the Seven Seas Fellowship enabling them to contravene his regulations governing air fares and the internationally approved air rates by illegally selling tickets; to what extent he estimates this practice may ultimately affect safety in the air; and if he will institute proceedings against those concerned.
§ Mr. NobleOrganisations such as these rarely charter aircraft in their own names. I have no reason to believe that their activities endanger air safety. Despite the difficulties of obtaining sufficiently firm evidence, there have been two successful prosecutions recently and I am considering action in other cases.