§ 8. Mr. Rankinasked the Minister of Transport and Civil Aviation why it has been decided to reduce the number of flights to Singapore by the Royal Dutch Airline from two per week to one.
Mr. WatkhisonThe Royal Dutch Airline, KLM, was given rights at the end of 1957 to operate services terminating at Singapore on the clear understanding that these were a temporary concession to help it during the Indonesian crisis. The decision to reduce the service to one flight a week was taken last March and should have come into effect in September, but in response to representations from the Netherlands Government there have been successive deferments during which the question has been reviewed in considerable detail with the Netherlands authorities. The decision to reduce the frequency was in full accordance with the well-established international practice for the grant of traffic rights to foreign airlines, but in response to further representations by the Netherlands, we propose to have another discussion with them on the technical aspects of the decision.
§ Mr. RankinCan the right hon. Gentleman say what were the reasons advanced by the Dutch Government which caused the Government to delay the final decision?
§ Mr. WatkinsonNaturally, we do not wish to fall out with our good friends. They said that there appeared to be a discrepancy in the figures which each side was using and we are endeavouring to get agreement on what are the figures.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that relations between countries have a great effect on arrangements made for international airlines and, in view of the arrangements between the five continental airlines which may come about, will he be generous to our old friends, the Dutch, in reviewing this matter?
§ Mr. WatkinsonI think the House should realise that we are being generous because, whatever happens now, the Dutch will get a terminating service which is very valuable, and something they never had before.