§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade (1) what representations he has received following the recent decision of the House of Lords in Taylor v. BOAC regarding overbooking by airlines or travel agents; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what discussions he is having with airlines operating in the United Kingdom in regard to airline overbooking;
(3) what recent discussions he has had with the CAA in regard to the practice of overbooking by airlines and travel agents.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisThe only representation I have received has been from the hon. Member himself, writing on behalf of the Guild of Business Travel Agents, supporting the concept of compensation for overbooked passengers. I am not currently discussing this matter with the airlines, but the Civil Aviation Authority is in touch with United Kingdom operators about its proposal to include a condition in their licences regarding compensation for passengers denied carriage on scheduled flights as a consequence of overbooking. The Authority has kept me fully informed throughout.