HC Deb 29 November 1973 vol 865 cc204-5W
Mr. Peter Rees

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what is the length of time between reference and report of all cases referred to the Monopolies Commission in the past five years.

Sir G. Howe

The information is as follows :—

are available in the Vote Office. The report states that it is the opinion of the board that the two air corporations should be dissolved on 1st April 1974. My right hon. Friend is accordingly laying before Parliament today the necessary order under Section 57 of the Civil Aviation Act 1971 to dissolve the corporations.

Mr. S. James A. Hill

asked the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry whether he has set the British Airways Board a financial objective, in accordance with Section 50 of the Civil Aviation Act 1971.

Mr. Michael Heseltine

After consultation with the board and with the approval of the Treasury, I have decided that it would be reasonable to expect the British Airways Board to achieve an average rate of return on mean net assets of 8 per cent. over the period 1972–75, which will be its first three years of operation. I am making a formal determination accordingly under Section 50 of the 1971 Act.