§ Mr. Russell Kerrasked the President of the Board of Trade if he is aware of a number of applications for licences to 232W operate transatlantic air services; whether he will exercise his powers under Section 2(3) of the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act 1960, to direct the Air Transport Licensing Board to refuse those applications until the conclusion of the Edwards Inquiry; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. J. P. W. MallalieuThe Board of Trade are today giving directions to the Air Transport Licensing Board, under Section 2(3) of the 1960 Act, to refuse parts of these applications on the grounds that they would involve the negotiation of rights with the government of another country or territory, and that it is inexpedient to seek such traffic rights at the present time. Copies of the directions are being placed in the library.
With these exceptions, the applications in question will now require consideration by the Air Transport Licensing Board.
The processes of the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Act 1960 must, of course, continue until such time as Parliament decides otherwise. United Kingdom operators, however, in making their plans for the future, will no doubt bear in mind the possibility that the work of the Edwards Committee may lead to significant changes in existing policies.