HC Deb 27 November 1980 vol 994 cc124-5W
Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that all possible steps are being taken to prevent the sale of air tickets at illegal discounts; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Tebbit

Paragraphs 15 to 21 of the report of the working party on discounted air fares, published in 1978, set out details of the law in relation to the sale of unauthorised discounted air tickets. In general it is an offence for an airline or an agent knowingly to sell such tickets, but it is difficult to obtain evidence on which to base a successful prosecution. The working party noted that the best interests of all would be served by encouraging legitimate low fares and this is what we are trying to do, particularly with our partners in the European Community and throughout Europe.

Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he is satisfied that he has sufficient sanctions at his disposal to discourage airlines from dumping airline tickets at illegal discounts.

Mr. Tebbit

I refer my hon. Friend to my reply to the earlier question he asked today on this subject. The report of the working party on discounted air fares reviewed, in paragraphs 41 to 53, possible further measures to eliminate the harmful effects of unauthorised discounting, including possible further legislation. The working party concluded that new legislation would probably not eliminate discounting and believed that the encouragement of legitimate low fares would be in the best interests of all concerned. I believe that this approach is still valid. The liberal fare regime on the North Atlantic has virtually wiped out illegal discounting in this market.

Mr. McCrindle

asked the Secretary of State for Trade if he will hold discussions with international aviation authorities on the desirability of ending the practice of illegal discounting of airline tickets.

Mr. Tebbit

I recently met members of the Board of Airline Representatives in the United Kingdom (BARUK) to discuss this difficult issue. I believe that the problem would largely disappear if a range of legitimate low fares were on offer, as they are for the North Atlantic for example. Our discussions with other international aviation authorities, particularly within Europe, are therefore aimed primarily at persuading them to approve the sensible innovative low fares proposed by our airlines rather than at the problem of enforcement.