§ 2.46 p.m.
§ LORD TREFGARNEMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they can hold out any hope that Italy will ratify the Multilateral Agreement on the commercial rights of non-scheduled air services in Europe.
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, the question of ratification of the Multilateral Agreement by Italy is one entirely for the Italian Government, and I am sorry that Her Majesty's Government have no indication of impending ratification. However, as a matter of policy the Italian Government do treat liberally those categories of flight which are covered by the Agreement and I have no knowledge of any special difficulties experienced by British operators in securing permission from Italy for non-scheduled commercial flights.
§ LORD TREFGARNEMy Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Lord, as always, for that reply. Is he aware that at the time of the SAM question, as it was called, just before Christmas last year, the Italians arbitrarily and suddenly cancelled all landing permission for nonscheduled carriers landing in Italy, and only gradually have eased the situation to reach the position we are in to-day. Would he therefore see what steps can be taken to invite if not to press the Italians to ratify this Agreement and thus get over the difficulties?
§ LORD BESWICKMy Lords, I think the noble Lord, Lord Trefgarne, will agree that several considerations applied last December, but if the noble Lord knows of any cases of difficulty now, I 1132 shall be glad if he will let me know and I will have them looked into. Representations are being made to the Italian Government, and as I understand it there is a delegation coming to this country on April 22 for bilateral talks on aviation matters. I will see that the matter is raised on that occasion.