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Hong Kong-London
[Lord Trefgarne.]
[LORDS]
the body primarily responsible for licensing matters. Only when they come to appeal, as in this case, does the Secretary of State have a role to play.
Lord BESWICK: My Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether he will make clear the Government's policy in this? Do they intend to give the authority a deciding role in these spheres or not? That, we understood, was the position. May I thank the noble Lord for making it clear that there was no other information available to the Secretary of State when he came to this modification of the CAA's decision. If there was no other informa- tion, can the seriously say that the "men in Whitehall knew better than the exper- ienced and professional judgment of the CAA?
19
The noble Lord in the Statement said that it was hoped that the Government of Hong Kong would lend support to the application which Laker may now wish to renew to the Hong Kong authorities Have the United Kingdom Government any reason to believe that the Hong Kong authorities will look more favourably at the Laker application?
Lord TREFGARNE: My Lords, I can confirm that our general policy in this matter remains unchanged and that we seek to provide to the CAA the maximum degree of autonomy and authority in these matters and only in very rare and special cases such as this one would the matter come before the Government in the form of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State. The second point the noble Lord raised has escaped me for the moment.
Lord BESWICK: My Lords, I asked about the reference in the Statement to the hope of Her Majesty's Government that the Government of Hong Kong will lend support to the Laker application.
Lord TREFGARNE: My Lords, that is a matter for the Hong Kong licensing authority. We have expressed our view, which I repeated in the Statement. I cannot predict the outcome of any applica- tion to that authority.
Lord SEGAL: My Lords, can the noble Lord
confirm that the original
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Air Services decision to exclude Cathay Pacific and Laker on this route gave rise to a great deal of indignation locally in Hong Kong? Is it not a well-established precedent that when a new route or an extension of a route is granted, a reciprocal arrangement is made at both ends providing that each should have a share in the new trade thus created? May I join with the noble Baroness, Lady Burton, in welcoming the Government's decision and expressing the hope that the increased traffic which will result from the Government's decision now will be to the advantage of British Airways, of British Caledonian, of Laker and of Cathay Pacific and to the enormously increased benefit of Britain and Hong Kong in the interests of cheaper fares? I believe that the Government decision is one warmly to be welcomed.
Lord TREFGARNE: My Lords, if I may respond to the first point, Hong Kong is a very special case, not only for the factors that I have mentioned, but also because it is considered as part of British territory for air services purposes. That is why the matter came before the Civil Aviation Authority and my right
honourable friend.
Lord DRUMALBYN: My Lords, if licences are granted to the three com- panies that have applied for them, will the companies be free to choose their own routes? Will they be free to negotiate intermediate freedoms with other countries?
Lord TREFGARNE: My Lords, all the airlines are now authorised to operate on the route, as I understand it, except for Laker Airways which still have to make a successful application to the Hong Kong authorities. As for intermediate stops, my right honourable friend has not authorised any addition to the licences in that respect but has however taken note of the existing authority to Cathay Pacific to stop at Bahrain for traffic purposes.
Lord TANLAW: My Lords, did the noble Lord have any discussions with his right honourable friend the Minister of Energy about the implementation of this policy which does not seem consistent with that of the conservation of energy? Will he confirm that this means over- loading a route with aircraft and more
Social Security
seats? Cannot better energy by minimisin aircraft and relating t to those presently av those that are hoped to
Lord TREFGARNI assure the noble Lord the price it is, none of operating except in an
Lord GEDDES: M my noble friend wheth are aware of the satis caused in Hong Kong announcement-albeit| satisfaction? Is he extreme importance Hong Kong of allow on to this route; and portance of Anglo-Ho and Anglo-Sino relatio
Lord TREFGARN] my Lords; but those the considerations in n friend's mind.
SOCIAL SECURIT
4.43 p.m.
House again in Com
[Amendment No. 26
Lord WELLS-PI Amendment No. 27:
Page 4, line 33, leave oi to ("shall") in line 34.
The noble Lord said fairly quickly. I hop the substance of it, tha the Minister will be This amendment W abolition of the earni to a widow's allowa preserving this allow particularly strong for First, of all the groups be asked to share in th from the Governmen who have recently s of the death of their among the least app
In addition to the e ting from widowhood recognised that this is