§ 6. Mr. McCrindleasked the Secretary of State for Transport what progress has been made towards the liberalisation of air services to Scandinavia.
§ Mr. Michael SpicerWe have secured a welcome simplificaton and speeding up of procedures for new routes, but this is only a first step. We want to see real competition on routes to Scandinavia and the lower fares that this would bring. We shall continue to press for this.
§ Mr. McCrindleI welcome that reply. What has been the reaction of the Scandinavian authorities to the proposals? Is there a likelihood of liberalisation of services resulting in fare reductions in the near future?
§ Mr. SpicerMy hon. Friend's question implies that there will not be fare reductions. We are pessimistic about the matter, especially about multiple designation, by which more than one airline is permitted to fly along a particular route. I hope that my hon. Friend's question will be heard in the capital cities of Scandinavia, because we certainly agree that there should be lower fares on these high-fare routes.