§ Mr. Colvinasked the Secretary of State for Trade what representations were made to him by the International Air Transport Association on 6 February; what reply he made; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TebbitMy right hon. Friend and I had a very full discussion with Mr Knut Hammerskjold, the Director-General of IATA, and several senior airline representatives. The delegation expressed its concern at current increases in the various user charges imposed at United Kingdom airports at a time of rapid increases in fuel and other costs. In particular, it suggested changes in the present system for recovering security costs.
In response, we explained that the Government's policy was that the full costs of services provided for airlines should be recovered through charges and not fall as a cost to the taxpayer. Subject to that, the Department would consider the specific proposals suggested by IATA as part of its current review of the present aviation security levy system. Mr. Hammerskjold welcomed this indication that the Government and IATA were both concerned to improve the present incentives to greater efficiency.