HC Deb 27 July 1979 vol 971 cc582-4W
Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to his answer of 23 August 1978 to the effect that Her Majesty's Government had decided to transfer all air services between Heathrow and Spain, Portugal and Gibraltar to Gatwick from 1 April 1979, if this transfer has now taken place; and, if not, why not.

Mr. Tebbit

Services between Heathrow and Gibraltar, but not Spain and Portugal, were transferred to Gatwick on 1 April 1979. My right hon. Friend is presently considering what the next steps should be in relieving congestion at Heathrow and building up traffic at Gatwick.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade, pursuant to the answer of 29 January in which the objective was stated of transferring all passenger services between London and Canada from Heathrow to Gatwick, if this objective has now been agreed by the Canadian Government; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tebbit

There has not so far been any agreement with the Canadian Government about the transfer from Heathrow to Gatwick of air services with Canada. My right hon. Friend is presently considering what the next steps should be.

Mr. Adley

asked the Secretary of State for Trade how many foreign carriers have been requested to move their operations from Heathrow to Gatwick since the latter airport opened; if he will list those that have been so requested; in which cases the relevant foreign Governments have objected to the move; and how many have moved from Heathrow to Gatwick.

Mr. Tebbit

Information for the period before 5 April 1977, when the previous Government announced their policy for the transfer of air traffic from Heathrow to Gatwick, could not be provided other than at disproportionate cost. Since April 1977, all foreign airlines have been required to transfer their charter services from Heathrow and all have complied. Inter-governmental discussions, also involving the airlines, about the transfer of scheduled air services to Gatwick have been undertaken with the USA, Canada, Spain, Portugal and the Scandinavian countries. No scheduled services have yet been transferred, but as a result of these discussions and other initiatives a number of new services have been introduced at Gatwick.