HC Deb 15 November 1971 vol 826 cc19-20W
Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he has now completed his investigations into the allegations of bribing of civil servants concerning group charter air travel; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Noble

The investigations are not yet complete. I will consider whether a statement is called for once I have the results of the inquiries now going on.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the occasions on which his Department has acted against illegal air travel activities; what penalties have been enforced; and what further action he intends to take against the purveyors of illegal air travel.

Mr. Noble

The Department is engaged in continuing enforcement activity in this field but I take it the right hon. Gentleman is referring particularly to affinity group charter flights. So far this year the Department has checked nine such flights by British airlines, and has refused a number of permits to foreign airlines. In addition the Department has prosecuted four travel organisers, in three cases successfully, and fines totalling £885 were imposed plus costs of £110. Two further prosecutions are pending and other cases are under investigation.

INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT CERTIFICATES APPROVED*
Number Area (600 sq. ft.) Estimated Additional Employment†
Males Total
Barnsley Group of Employment Exchange Areas
1970
3rd quarter 10 118 220 280
4th quarter 6 156 130 130
1971
January—September‡ 7 195 270 370
* All schemes.
† Applicants' estimates of the additional employment expected to arise when the projects are complete and fully manned.
‡ Separate figures for each quarter cannot be given owing to the risk of disclosure of details of individual projects.

I hope to make an early statement about further action that will be taken this winter to deal with abuses.

Forward to