§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if he has intervened to prevent up-grading of on-board service by foreign airlines on flights out of London; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Clinton DavisI have not intervened to prevent up-grading of on-board services by foreign airlines on flights out of London. However, I have recently required certain airlines operating into and out of London to observe the tariffs clause in the relevant Air Services Agreement which requires them to charge the approved tariffs and to observe the conditions attaching to those tariffs as laid down in IATA resolutions. The particular conditions mentioned were the286W charging for alcoholic drinks and headphones for in-flight entertainment in economy class and also the levying of an appropriate charge for the provision of slumberettes in first class on B747 aircraft. It is the policy of Her Majesty's Government to uphold IATA resolutions appertaining to conditions of carriage.
The making or not making of a charge for certain services on board aircraft should not be confused with standard of service provided. The consequences of widespread failure to charge for services which the agreed tariffs do not cover leads to increased costs and almost inevitably to increased fares.