Three Corporations To Handle British Air Transport

Northern Advocate, 20 December 1945, Page 6

Three Corporations To Handle British Air Transport

(Rec. 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, Dec. 19. The Government proposal to establish three statutory corporations for air transport is confirmed in a White Paper issued last night. They will operate the following routes: —(1) Between the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth countries, the United States and. the Far East. (2) Between the United Kingdom, the Continent and internal routes in the United Kingdom. (3) Between the United Kingdom and South America.

Each corporation will be managed by its own board, including members with expert knowledge of the major aspects of airline operation. Also, some with experience of surface transport and the needs of passenger'; The major policy of air transport development and the broad range oi activities of corporations will be vested in the Minister for Civil Aviation, who will make appointments to the boards. STATE AID The Government will extend to the corporations the maximum freedom in the operation and management, ana will seek international agreement, eliminating all forms of subsidy. It . recognises, however, that some measure of State aid may be necessary to support essential but unremunerative services.

Any direct subsidy assistance during the initial periods will take the form of deficiency grants. The White Paper proposes that the Minister for Civil Aviation shall acquire and manage the requisite transport and airfields.

Heathrow will be the long-distance airport for London, but until the airfield is ready, Hurn, Prestwick, and possibly one other airport will be used. Croydon and Northold will operate as London airports for internal and European traffic. Airports will also be established in Northern Ireland, Wales and other parts of the United Kingdom of suitable standard for flying direct to the Continent Military and civil aircraft will jointly use some of the airfields. COMPENSATION The Government proposes to compiensate for physical assets, but at for goodwill, airlines operating on November 1, 1945. The corporations will be generally required to use British aircraft. Private operators will be permitted to Engage in charter and taxi operations. The White Paper says the corporations must maintain the highest degree of efficiency and safety and wil] be responsible for the final training of air crews and ground staffs. Opportunities will be provided for members of the R.A.F. and Fleet Air Arm to enter civil aviation, but the White Paper warns that relatively few openings for the large numbers being released from the services are likely in the near future. STEPPING UP PRODUCTION The Government is making every effort to step up production of civil aircraft. The White Paper Ooncluded j that there would be full co-operation with the Dominions and colonies in pooling traffic receipts, avoiding duplication and the common use of facilities. Commonwealth air routes would use the same ty-es of aircraft as the three corporations, and ground staffs would be shared. Mr. Ivor Thomas (Labour), commenting on the White Paper, said the British Overseas Air Corporation would supervise the operation 0 f all air routes except internal ones, until the proposed Bill became law. British Overseas Airways Corporation would also gradually take over the R-A-F. Transport Command. Ivlr. Thomas added that the Bill would be debated in the House of Commons j on January 24, on a Government mo- ! tion approving the policy set out in the . White Paper. FARES AND RATES He hoped the Bill would be through by next summer, after which the three corporations would be set up immediately. He added that the Government attached cardinal importance to international agreement on fares and rates for external services, without which there would be chaos. It intended to take a firm stand to achieve its object.