asked the Minister of Aviation when he will appoint a consumer director to the board of British European Airways.

I hope to make an announcement by the end of this week.

Why have we had to wait so long'? It is now nine or ten months since the right hon. Gentleman told the House that he intended to appoint a consumer director. Where is the dynamic leadership we thought we were going to see?

I congratulate the hon. Gentleman on recovering so quickly from the unexpected nature of my reply. I always made it clear that I would make use of an available vacancy for this appointment. Such a vacancy did not occur until 30th September. There has, therefore, been no great delay.

Is not the fact that the Minister is to appoint a consumer director an extraordinary commentary upon B.E.A. market research and its attitude to consumers? Surely it should not be necessary to have such a director at all.

Not at all. This director will bear in mind these special considerations, but I hope that he or she will pay some regard to the general work of B.E.A. as well.