Debates between Lord Tugendhat and Lord Duncan of Springbank during the 2017-2019 Parliament

Frequent Flyer Airmiles Schemes

Debate between Lord Tugendhat and Lord Duncan of Springbank
Monday 21st October 2019

(4 years, 7 months ago)

Lords Chamber
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Lord Duncan of Springbank Portrait Lord Duncan of Springbank
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The challenge we face in this country is that we are a major hub for international flights, as well as a country with a significant geographical challenge. We do all we can to ensure that people can take the types of journey they are able to take; it is up to commercial companies to determine how best to take that forward.

Lord Tugendhat Portrait Lord Tugendhat (Con)
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My Lords, might the Minister consider a more rifle-shot approach and, instead of thinking about commercial airlines, think about private jets? Might it be an idea to levy a tax on fuel sold to private jet companies, as distinct from the wider question of national and budget airlines? Private jets might be the best place to start.

Lord Duncan of Springbank Portrait Lord Duncan of Springbank
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My noble friend raises a question to which I do not have the answer in my notes. It strikes me that private jets probably constitute a very small proportion of the overall flights in this country, and that private jets may choose not to come here, depending on circumstance.