HC Deb 31 October 1966 vol 735 cc38-9W
Sir M. Galpern

asked the President of the Board of Trade, in view of the fact that no limit is placed on the amount of alcoholic drink that may be consumed by passengers on domestic flights, resulting on occasion in passengers running amok, assaulting other passengers or members of the crew or creating a breach of the peace, thereby placing passengers in a state of fear, if he will issue a general direction, in the public interest, to British European Airways, that no alcoholic liquor shall be served either free or for payment on domestic flights.

Mr. Mason

No. It would not be appropriate to issue a general direction in the national interest. Under Article 41, however, of the Air Navigation Order 1966 it is an offence for a person to enter an aircraft when drunk or to be drunk in an aircraft. British European Airways have standing instructions to their staff with a view to preventing drunkenness on the part of passengers.