12. Mr. Leeasked the Minister of Aviation whether he will make representations to the Governments of countries whose airlines are members of the International Air Transport Association in order to ensure agreements at Government level for fare changes agreed upon at the International Air Transport Association conferences.
§ Mr. MartenWe have signified to the Governments represented at the recent London discussions our readiness to consider with them how far Governmental procedures for dealing with International Air Transport Association recommendations could be improved so as to avoid a repetition of recent difficulties.
Mr. LeeThe House will be very pleased to hear that Answer. Would not the hon. Gentleman agree that the present situation is a sort of lull before the war breaks into a hot war and that if we wait for that situation both sides will have taken up prepared positions and we shall then find the situation very difficult? Could not his right hon. Friend agree to take even more initiative in this matter and try to make a direct approach to the American Government in order to ensure that we get over these difficulties without a fracas such as we had last week?
§ Mr. MartenI am grateful for the hon. Gentleman's remarks, which we shall bear in mind. At the moment, the situation is that negotiations have not 9 been actually opened, but we have expressed our hope that they will take place.