§ Mr. Snapeasked the Secretary of State for Transport (1) what representations he has received from the National Joint Council for Civil Air Transport about the implications for the future competitiveness of British-owned air cargo companies, in the light of the cessation of trading on 3 January of Tradewinds Airways, of the requirement for United Kingdom air cargo operators to fit engine hush kits and of the related exemptions granted to non-United Kingdom carriers; and if he will make a statement;
(2) what assessment he has made of the implications for the international competitiveness of the United Kingdom air cargo industry of his Department's requirement that certain aircraft operated by British-owned carriers must be fitted with engine hush kits from 1 January and of the decision to grant one and two-year exemptions from this requirement to European and non-European airlines, respectively; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerThe decision to exclude from the United Kingdom register from 1 January 1986 subsonic jet aeroplanes not complying with minimum noise standards734W was taken following an announcement by the previous Administration in the White Paper on airports policy of 1978 (Cmnd. 7084). Over the last seven years most of our airlines have brought their fleets into full compliance with those standards while maintaining or enhancing their competitiveness. As Tradewinds Airways' recent announcement made clear, its decision to cease trading was by no means due solely to the need to fit hush kits to its aeroplanes. The question of granting exemptions to foreign carriers does not arise; international agreements prevent the banning of such aeroplanes before 1 January 1988.
My right hon. Friend is considering representations on these matters from the trade union side of the National Joint Council for Civil Air Transport.