Supplementary memorandum submitted by
the Department for Transport
At the 2 November evidence session of the Transport
Committee you asked for an explanation of the circumstances behind
the letter Virgin Atlantic Airways submitted to the Committee,
part of which was read out during the session.
Following meetings I held with airlines on 24
October to discuss voluntary arrangements for repatriation and
improving passenger information, officials in my Department prepared
a statement for me to make to the Committee. Officials circulated
by email a draft statement to the airlines concerned that contained
the words:
"All airlines present committed to put
information on their websites, as part of the booking process,
to inform customers about financial protection."
Ms Sian Foster of Virgin, who had attended the
meeting, telephoned an official to say her company was not able
to agree to such a statement. The official explained that if it
were re-written to refer only to those airlines that were committed
to this initiative, rather than to all of them; it would be apparent
who had not made such a commitment. It appears that in discussing
the draft statement with Virgin, the impression was given that
the Department would highlight—as opposed to omit—the
names of airlines which had not signed up. You have seen the final
version.
The Department has discussed this misunderstanding
with Mr Barry Humphreys of Virgin, the author of the letter, and
we have agreed to put the matter behind us and continue our good
working relationship.
Let me reassure the Committee that our approach
throughout these discussions has been to build inclusive, co-operative
relations with all involved. It would certainly not be part of
this to choose to denigrate any individual company's position
publicly, nor would we seek in any way to compromise the privacy
of these discussions. The Government has decided on a voluntary,
co-operative approach, which is why we showed the statement to
all interested parties who attended the meetings before it was
circulated to the Committee.
10 November 2005
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