§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that notwithstanding the Government's policy the British Overseas Airways Corporation have increased air fares to Commonwealth countries on the grounds of devaluation in the case of those passengers who booked in and paid for their tickets before devaluation; and what action he proposes to take in these cases.
§ Mr. David Howellasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that it is the policy of British Overseas Airways Corporation to demand additional payment from passengers who bought and paid for their tickets before devaluation but have not yet undertaken their flights; and whether this is in accordance with the Government's prices and incomes policy.
§ Mr. J. P. W. Mallalieu:I would refer the hon. Gentlemen to the Answer my right hon. Friend gave on 12th December to my hon. Friend the Member for St. Helens (Mr. Spriggs), in which he announced his approval of the Resolutions of the International Air Transport Association introducing modifications in international air tariffs in the light of the situation following devaluation. These Resolutions apply to independent Commonwealth, as well as to other, countries.
The airline routes between this country and dependent territories form, in general, part of a network of international trunk routes and the cabotage fares there- 322W fore have to be closely related to the international fares. While a detailed revision of the cabotage tariff as a whole has not yet been completed my right hon. Friend has approved the consequential increases in fares on cabotage routes between this country and certain dependent territories.
I am assure that B.O.A.C. have not charged any air fares, since devaluation, which are not covered by the appropriate Government approvals. No immediate action is therefore called for; we shall issue the new cabotage tariff as soon as possible.—[Vol. 756, c. 120–1.]