HC Deb 31 July 1978 vol 955 cc16-8W
Mr. Tom Ellis

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what discussions he has had with the chairman of the Airline Users' Committee about the representation of consumer interests; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclennan

Sir Archibald Hope, the new chairman of the Air Transport Users' Committee, was appointed by the Civil Aviation Authority last November. I met him shortly after his appointment to discuss his committee's role in representing the consumer interest. I hope to meet him again in the near future to consider how effective the implementation of the committee's broader terms of reference has proved.

Mr. McNamara

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection what proposals he has to ensure more effective protection for consumers of airline services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclennan

My right hon. Friend has noted the new terms of reference which the Civil Aviation Authority has given to the Air Transport Users' Committee with effect from 1st April 1978. These are as follows:

  1. "1) The Committee will be called the Air Transport Users' Committee. (AUC for short).
  2. 2) The committee's terms of reference will be to make reports and recommendations to the Civil Aviation Authority for furthering the interests of air transport users including the investigation of complaints against the suppliers of Air Transport Services; to co-operate with any airport consultative committees which are charged by airport proporietors with furthering the interests of air transport users inside their airports.
  3. 3) The Committee will consist of not more than 20 and not fewer than 12 members, including a Chairman and Deputy Chairman. All appointments will be made by the Civil Aviation Authority Board on the advice of the AUC and of the CAA.
  4. 4) No employee of the CAA may be a member of the AUC.
  5. 5) Members will be appointed as individuals and not as delegates of any particular interest group. They should represent as wide range as possible of personal experience as users of air transport services.
  6. 6) Appointments will normally be for terms of three years.
  7. 7) The work of the Committee will be supported by an annual grant from the CAA".

The Government would be interested to receive indications as to how effective these new arrangements are proving in protecting the interests of air transport users.

Mr. Roper

asked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will invite the National Consumer Council to make a study of the adequacy and efficiency of consumer representation to the authorities responsible for airline and airport services; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Maclennan

Although the National Consumer Council has not made a separate study of this question, its first report "Consumers and the Nationalised Industries", which was published in August 1976, following a reference by my right. hon. Friend, did make certain recommendations about improving consumer representation in the air transport industry. We should naturally welcome and study with interest any further representations that the NCC might care to make.