HC Deb 05 August 1971 vol 822 cc451-3W
Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will carry out an inquiry into the effect of the rules on charter flights upon the standing of passengers who were bona fide members of the Scottish American Association and were due to return to the United States of America by Universal Airlines from Stansted Airport on 1st August, 1971; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Noble

No. The Department issued the permit sought by the United States airline concerned for a round trip between the United States and the United Kingdom on charter to the Scottish American Association, and the airline operated both legs of the flight. The decision not to carry certain passengers on this flight was taken by the airline.

I have no responsibility for the action of foreign airlines in determining whether or not to carry individual passengers within the terms of the British permit issued.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about his discussions with British airlines about affinity group charter flights.

Mr. Noble

Following recent discussions with British airlines, proposals for a code of practice have been submitted to me which I am considering. I hope to have further discussions about possible improvements in the charter rules in a few weeks' time.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what recent negotiations he has had with the authorities of the United States of America about a bilateral agreement governing charter flights over the north Atlantic; and whether these include reform of the regulations laid down for affinity group charters.

Mr. Noble

There have been no negotiations with the United States authorities on this particular subject beyond the exploratory discussions earlier this year. The criteria for charters, or their revision, are matters of each country's regulatory requirements, but the treatment of international flights and the question of harmonisation are naturally aspects open to international consideration.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry, to what extent he proposes to enforce the terms of International Air Transport Association Resolution No. 045 governing affinity group charter flights; what steps he is taking to make such enforcement effective; and whether he will make a statement.

Mr. Noble

The enforcement of this resolution, so far as it relates to affinity group charter flights, is a matter for the International Air Transport Association.

Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is his policy for publishing his Department's responsibility in enforcing the terms and conditions of Resolution No. 045 if the International Air Transport Association as far as they apply to members of the public on charter flights.

Mr. Noble

The Department has no such responsibility so far as affinity group charter flights are concerned. In so far as part of this resolution is reflected in the terms of licences for inclusive tour charters, very little enforcement action has been required.

Mr. Greville Janner

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will now introduce legislation to require organisers of charter flights to return passengers' fares and to pay compensation if a flight is cancelled due to breach of regulations, and further to render void any clause in any agreement between charterers or organisers and passengers which would protect the charterer or organiser in such circumstances.

Mr. Anthony Grant

Clause 26 of the Civil Aviation Bill will confer power to make regulations, subject to negative resolution procedure, as to, among other things, the terms of travel organisers' licences. We have it in mind that these regulations should be broad enough to allow the Civil Aviation Authority to require a travel organiser to refund money in these circumstances, and possibly also to require that there should be security of some kind so that the money will always be available. Meanwhile, intending passengers would be prudent to deal only with reputable travel organisers.