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Civil Aviation Bill

It is not within my powers to restrain such a development. I am grateful to the noble Lord, Lord Roper, for being as helpful as ever and indicating that further and more mature judgment can come to play. We are at an early stage in the passage of the Bill and the noble Baroness knows that if she withdraws her amendment she will have the opportunity of tabling it again on Report. Within the framework of the Bill, I do not in any shape or form seek to damp down the anxieties of Members of the Committee on this issue. The anxieties are shared in every part of this House and the other place, as I indicated earlier, and are no doubt reflected throughout the British nation. However, within the framework of the Bill, which is my primary obligation, to accept the amendment as tabled and carry it forward to the final stages of the Bill, there would be serious implications for British air travel. I understand the importuning which suggests that there is a higher principle to which we have regard. I say only that to accept the amendment to the Bill would be a signal of unilateral and individual abrogation of our obligations under international treaty which would put the aviation interests and the interests of the nation greatly at risk. I greatly appreciate the opportunity to participate in such a debate, which I recognise goes to the heart of the values of a civilised nation. However, I suggest to the noble Baroness, Lady D’Souza, that while she has represented this matter in the most precise, effective and highly principled way possible, the amendment is wrecking in nature which, for me as the Minister whose lot it is to act as the guardian of the Bill, would destroy its intention. I therefore ask her to withdraw it in the full knowledge that, as the noble Lord, Lord Roper, has suggested, I have probably not seen the last of this proposal.