§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade what evidence he has that Air Canada flights from Gatwick would better suit the convenience of travellers than such flights from Heathrow.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th April 1978], gave the following answer:
The extensive new facilities, excellent access and less congestion both inside and outside the airport, should give Gatwick a considerable appeal for passengers travelling to and from Canada.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade how many Air Canada passengers to Heathrow he estimates continue to other destinations.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th April 1978], gave the following information:
During the air services negotiations with Canada from 11th to 14th April, there was some discussion of the extent to which Air Canada's passengers change aircraft in London. It was agreed that Air Canada would provide my Department with information about this and other 542W aspects of their transfer to Gatwick, as a basis for further discussion.
§ Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Trade if it is his policy to compensate airlines which are obliged to move from Heathrow to Gatwick as their London terminal; if he has estimated how much this would amount to in the case of Air Canada; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Clinton Davis, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 24th April 1978], gave the following answer:
No estimate of the cost of transferring from Heathrow to Gatwick has so far been provided by Air Canada. In accordance with international practice in these matters—which was followed by the Canadian Government in respect of British Airway's transfer to Mirabel—it is not the Government's intention to compensate airlines which move from Heathrow to Gatwick