§ BARONESS BURTON OF COVENTRYasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will state, in so far as international air traffic is concerned, the areas of responsibility covered by the Civil Aviation Authority, the British Airways Board and Her Majesty's Government.
§ THE MINISTER WITHOUT PORTFOLIO (LORD DRUMALBYN)Her Majesty's Government are responsible for inter-Governmental civil aviation matters, including international traffic rights. The Civil Aviation Authority is responsible for the regulation of British civil aviation, within the general policy I framework set by the Government including the licensing of individual airlines for international routes when traffic rights are available. As part of this responsibility the Civil Aviation Authority, for example, considers and, where appropriate, approves fares on international routes to and from the United Kingdom. The Government and the Authority work closely together wherever both international and domestic aspects of civil aviation are involved; for example, in 1279WA the formulation of future policy towards international air charter operations.
The British Airways Board is responsible to the Government for the general financial performance of B.O.A.C. and 1280WA B.E.A. and is therefore concerned that they should increase their share of international traffic on a profitable basis.
House adjourned at thirteen minutes before one o'clock.