§ 50. Mr. Willisasked the Prime Minister if his attention has been called to the proposed terms of the agreement about to be signed between the Minister of Civil Aviation and the Eireann Department of Industry and Commerce stipulating that all British aeroplanes on the trans-Atlantic route must use the Rineanna airport and that Prestwick is to be used for directional control; and whether the Government has changed its policy of making Prestwick a main trans-Atlantic airport on British soil.
§ The Prime MinisterThe agreement concluded between the Government of Eire and the United States of America in February, 1945, provided that at the present stage of aeronautical development all United States aircraft crossing the territory of Eire would land at Rineanna airport. The Government of Eire have indicated that a similar provision should be included in any agreement that may be negotiated with this country. Naturally, however, aircraft that do not fly over the territory of Eire are subject to no such conditions and accordingly international civil air services routed to and from Prestwick direct are free to do so. It remains the policy of His Majesty's Government that Prestwick shall be designated as an international airport.
§ Mr. WillisMay I take it that the proposed terms of this agreement will in no way affect the future development of Prestwick?
§ The Prime MinisterIt in no way affects the policy laid down with regard to Prestwick.