§ Mr. Robin F. Cookasked the Secretary of State for Prices and Consumer Protection if he will seek powers to enable his Department to scrutinise airline tariffs in the interests of the consumer.
§ Mr. MaclennanCharges for domestic airline flights are scrutinised by the Civil Aviation Authority and are subject to the ultimate control of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Trade through the appeals procedure. Under section 3 of the 1971 Civil Aviation Act the Authority has a duty to further the reasonable interests of users of air transport services. Although there is no statutory provision for the Air Transport Users' Committee to be consulted on tariff changes it is open to it to make representations on behalf of the consumer. Charges for international flights are determined by international agreement and the interests of consumers are taken into account, together with other relevant factors.