§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport what consideration he has given to paragraph 13.53 of the Monopolies and Mergers Commission's report MMC2, BAA plc, published in 1991; if he will make it his policy that interests of United Kingdom regional airlines could be safeguarded under section 41 of the Airports Act 1986; what plans he has to act to protect the interests of such airlines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NorrisMy right hon. Friend has noted the view the MMC expressed on the structure of charges at BAA plc's London airports.
The Government look for healthy competition in the aviation market and seek to protect the interests of both consumers and operators against anti-competitive practices. Section 41 of the Airports Act 1986 gives the Civil Aviation Authority the power to impose conditions on an airport operator to remedy specific conduct which unreasonably discriminates against any class of airport user or unfairly exploits that operator's bargaining position.