§ 19. Mr. Keelingasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation what proposals regarding the ownership and operation of international air services were made by the British representative at the Fourth Assembly in Montreal of the International Civil Aviation Organisation; and what decision was reached on these proposals.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Civil Aviation (Mr. Beswick)The United Kingdom delegation presented a memorandum reaffirming their Government's belief in international ownership and operation and presenting proposals for suitable forms of organisation. This memorandum was discussed in the Economic Commission of the Assembly, but the proposal that studies by the Council of the Organisation should be continued was defeated.
§ Mr. KeelingCan it be right for the internationalisation of civil aviation to be advocated by this Government, when in so many countries, civil aviation is not in the hands of a Socialist Government?
§ Mr. BeswickI should have thought it would have been eminently right to take the light to those distant places.
§ Mr. MikardoDoes my hon. Friend observe that the Opposition, while supporting the internationalisation of coal and steel, think it is impracticable to 456 internationalise civil aviation? Can he think of the faintest reason why that should be so?
§ Mr. SummersAre we to understand that His Majesty's Government invited representatives of other countries to accept internationalisation in principle without having an opportunity of discussing how it should work out in practice?
§ Mr. BeswickThere was a proposal that this subject should be studied and, in the first place, it was unanimously accepted.