HC Deb 23 November 1955 vol 546 cc1453-4
36. Mr. Rankin

asked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation if he will make a statement on the outcome of the discussions which his Department has conducted with the Government of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics for the purpose of improving air communications between Great Britain and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics.

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

There were two distinct sets of discussions, one between the representatives of Governments, and the other between the representatives of airlines. An agreement was signed between B.E.A. and the Soviet airline Aeroflot on 19th November under which each airline will sell through tickets to any points served on the routes operated by the other airline. B.E.A. are proposing shortly to extend their Scandinavian services to Helsinki and it will then be possible for passengers to make connections between the B.E.A. and Aeroflot services at Helsinki, Vienna and, possibly, Berlin. The agreement provides for the adjustment of the timetables of the two companies to ensure the most convenient connecting services. The exchange of rights to operate through services between London and Moscow by airlines of the two countries was discussed between Government representatives, but the Soviet authorities are not yet able to contemplate the operation of such services.

Mr. Rankin

Is the Minister aware that these discussions were warmly welcomed and that their outcome will be agreeable to all? Will he remember that Prestwick is nearer to Moscow than is London? Was any consideration given to Prestwick as a port of call on the Moscow-Helsinki-London route? If not, will he tell us why not? Secondly, so far as the Scandinavian proposals are concerned, was any consideration given to Renfrew and Edinburgh as ports of call on that route to London? Again, if not, why not?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

If the hon. Gentleman studies my Answer, which I am afraid was rather long, he will find that these were discussed between B.E.A. and Aeroflot as to the linking up of existing services and, so far as I know, did not go as wide as to consider entirely new services.

Air Commodore Harvey

When did Her Majesty's Government apply for British aircraft to fly through direct to Moscow, and why have they not been given permission to do this?

Mr. Boyd-Carpenter

I have nothing to add to my Answer, to the effect that the Soviet authorities are not yet able to contemplate the operation of such services.