§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether the United States Government has yet granted permission to British Overseas Airways Corporation to carry fare-paying passengers across the Pacific from the United States on its round-the-world service; and, if not, what representations Her Majesty's Government are making in the matter.]
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, although there have been unexpected delays since my reply to Lord Ogmore's previous Question on 16th April, we see no reason why the decision to grant B.O.A.C.'s foreign carrier permit to include Tokio in their round-the-world service via San Francisco should not be available very shortly. Her Majesty's Government have left the United States authorities in no doubt about their great dissatisfaction with the continued delay in the grant of this permit to which B.O.A.C. are fully entitled under the United Kingdom/United States Air Services Agreement. Representations have been made both here and in Washington and will, if necessary, be continued.
§ LORD OGMOREMy Lords, I am grateful to the noble Earl for that forthright reply. May I ask him what sum it is costing B.O.A.C. per week in not having this permit?
THE EARL OF GOSFORDMy Lords, the answer is the same as I gave the noble Lord last time, approximately £25,000.