HC Deb 24 May 1971 vol 818 cc6-8W
46. Mr. Leslie Huckfield

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he will make a statement about the recent meeting at Washington, which representatives of his Department attended, between a European Civil Aviation Committee delegation, the Civil Aeronautics Board, Department of Transportation and the State Department, which discussed regulations governing charter flights across the North Atlantic.

Mr. Noble

The United States is proposing that charter services should be regulated by bilateral agreements between Governments as scheduled services are now. The meeting explored the American ideas and allowed a first exchange of views between those with a major interest in North Atlantic traffic.

67. Mr. Wilkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether, in view of recent actions by his Department in regard to the bona fides of Affinity Group Charter Flight passengers, he now intends to review the regulation of Affinity Group Charter services.

Mr. Noble

I have been reviewing the situation for some little time, but, as I have explained on several occasions, changes cannot be made quickly in this field.

Mr. Mudd

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many inspections were carried out during 1971 into the eligibility of passengers embarking on group charter flights; how many passengers were refused permission to board aircraft; what are the minimum requirements for the acceptance of passengers under charter-flight arrangements; and how many warnings have been issued or notices of intended prosecution served on organisations, individuals and firms seeking to evade the requirements of approved periods of membership prior to travel.

Mr. Noble

Two such inspections have been carried out as a result of which the airline concerned refused to carry 112 passengers on one flight and 46 on the other. The requirements are set out in Schedule 1 (Category B) of the Civil Aviation (Licensing) Regulations, 1964. I have no comprehensive figures of the number of warnings given in 1971 but proceedings have been commenced in four cases and I am considering what action to take in a number of other cases.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the occasions during the last 12 months when his Department has had to act against independent airlines with a view to checking whether all passengers on their group charter flights were bona-fide members of clubs which entitled them to cheaper charter airline fares; what flights were affected; which airlines were involved; what steps he intends to take to stop this practice; and what strictures have been applied or imposed on the airlines and clubs involved.

Mr. Noble

The Department has made a detailed check of passengers on affinity group charter flights operated by independent airlines three times in the last 12 months. All three flights were from Gatwick to New York. The first was a B.U.A. flight on charter to the Cinematic Arts Club; the other two were Laker Airways flights on charter to the European Emigrant Families Association and the Left Hand Club. One summons has been served, and I am considering what action to take on the other two cases. I shall continue to take such measures as appear to be necessary to deal with breaches of the regulations.

Mr. Mason

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry to what extent the practice of illegally exploiting the six-month rule of club membership for group charter flights is evident to his Department; and if he will specify how many airlines and clubs have been warned in any way by his Department during the last 12 months.

Mr. Noble

I am aware that many clubs which charter aircraft are not always careful to see that passengers conform to the six-month rule and that there have been instances of gross abuse. Airline, both British and foreign, are warned if checks by the Department show that an infringement has taken place and are also altered to possible irregularities on flights which have not been checked. I have no comprehensive record of all such warnings. It is not my practice to warn clubs since these are not regulated directly under present arrangements. I am considering what further steps to take in addition to those envisaged in Clause 26 of the Civil Aviation Bill.